Review of Audition (2000) by Tyler G — 03 Mar 2010

Of all the films directed by controversial Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, "Audition" is his most infamous, but in a good way. Audition has garnerd a cult following for its chilling story about a man torn apart by his wife's death, and his desperate search for love which turns into a nightmare. Bravo has Audition listed as #11 on it's 100 Scariest Movie Moments, and the movie is well deserving of such a title.

Audition is about a Shigeharu Aoyama, a man that loses his wife to a fatal illness, leaving him to care for his son Shigehiko alone. Seven years later he is urged by his friend Yoshikawa, a film producer, to begin searching for a wife in order to clense his depressed state that has slowed him down. Yoshikawa arranges a mock-audition where young, beautiful women audtion for a role in Yoshikawa's next project; which doesn't exist. Instead, they are there so Aoyama can choose his future wife.

Dozens of possible choices go through until the final contestant, Asami Yamazaki enchants Aoyama. He is immedietly intrested even before she speaks, and he attempts to find her after the auditions close.

Despite warnings from Yoshi, whom has a bad feeling about her, Aoyama manages to date her several times.

He learns much about her past, including her once ballerina dream, and after one final night she vanishes.

Things go from mysterious to nightmarish as Aoyama uncovers the truth about her past, the torments she suffered and the truth behind just what lies in the burlap sack in her apartment.

Audition was notorious upon it's release and had its fair share of audience walkouts for its horrific 15-minute finale. Despite the grusomness and stereotypical female lead, Audition is more then just simple horror; its psychological terror that delves into what drives psychopaths into doing maniacal acts. The film explores many thematic elements including early abuse being a cause for murder, and the even more infamous stereotype of Japanese women, which in the film's case is the perfect deception for Asami to use to her own advantage.

Audition isn't a bad film in the horror genre, but it isn't reccomended for anyone with a weak stomach but it doesn't come near to the grusomeness of the "Saw" series. Instead of pure gore, Audition focuses on people and the relationships they have with strangers and it really shows that you can't judge a book by it's cover, you never know who somebody really is or what their true intentions are.

Audition isn't easy to watch, but that's sort of the point to a horror film of this caliber. Its very disturbing, gut-renching, and above all else; not for children or the faint of heart. On the other hand, if you're into love stories gone wrong with a horror twist, Audition may be worth checking out.