Review of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) by G S — 26 Dec 2011

Although at times theatrical and experimental with the camera, yet the composition of the frames are always clear and concise. Whether the dialogue was taken from Mishima's books, written by the Schrader brothers, or a mix of both- it was great.

There was very little, if at all any, fluff in this film. It truly felt like what the title suggests "A Life in four chapters". Ken Ogata is brilliant as Mishima, as are all of the actors depicting either real life people or characters from Mishima's writing.

There couldn't be a better war to film the life of such a unique, diverse, and controversial person and artist as Yukio Mishima. Paul Schrader must be given the props he truly deserves for his brilliant vision and execution.

I thought writing Taxi Driver had been his greatest achievement in film, but despite Scorsese's 1976 film being my favourite, I must say that "Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters" is Paul Schrader's greatest gift to cinema.