Review of Guilty of Romance (2011) by Vinayak B — 21 Oct 2012

An excellent movie from a man who is no stranger to controversy. Be it 54(was it 52?) school girls committing grisly mass suicide on the railway tracks of Shinjuku with there limbs flying in all directions(Suicide circle), a detailed autopsy of a decomposed woman's body (Hair extension), a guy who makes an art out of Panchira tosatsu (taking upskirt shots of women in skirts); Sono Shion has depicted nearly all if not darker but stranger aspects of humankind. This movie which is based on a real life incident (even though the actual murder was nowhere as ..well I am out of words here..lets just say it is scary and you have been warned!) is a continuation of Sono's journey into the deeper, darker side of mankind.

I like to compare him with David Cronenberg , another director who seems to be fascinated by human anatomy. The camera explores these in great detail at times in many of Sono's movies. Whether he is sensationalizing or not is a matter of individual taste, but for me this is top quality cinema that will throw you out of your chair at times.

Sensationalism apart, Sono's anger is indirectly related to the society that produces such 'aberrations'. One would never imagine a well educated, decent looking, woman next door to indulge in acts even the boldest of women would think twice before doing. Superb acting combined with great background music and an apt setting (Shibuya, Tokyo), this film will make your stomach churn at times but is a treat for genuine cinema lovers.

Who says that women are under-depicted in Japanese cinema? The three ladies in this two and a half hour movie turn in incredible and of course sexciting performances. These women have desires and they are out to fulfill them, better watch out guys!