Review of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) by Michael S — 05 Dec 2013

Not only is it one of the most propulsive and engaging films ever made, elegantly constructed and kaleidoscopic, but also completely adept at gathering together its ambitious style and delivering it with total concision.

You can come to this biopic with no previous knowledge of Mishima and come away with not only insight into his methods and mindset but also with a taste of his art, which might lead you into wanting to delve deeper into his work.

The film is abetted considerably by Eiko Ishioka's bold set designs and Philip Glass' score, which adds a haunting immediacy to this dreamlike collage. You won't be able to think about the subject of art in the same way again, once you've witnessed how this man took his vision of his life and work and, with alarming authority, made it a reality.

A masterpiece.