Review of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) by Jason A — 19 Jul 2011

The process of which the story of this man is revealed is absolutely amazing, especially to me, someone who has never heard of him before. The film has a sort of wonderful style and mixed with Phillip Glass's music presents itself as not only a seen, but heard piece of art.

It's hard to describe the complexity behind the life of this man and how his writings are contributed in the film, but the sets and dialogue are wonders on their own along with the rest. In a way its like a Japanese King's Speech because of the stuttering youth of the main character and how he grows to gain confidence, and then lose it, and then gain it again. It's very emotionally touching on many levels, but also very depressing (though juxtaposed by its bright colors). A stutterer is powered by the written word, and his best friend has his own disability ('frog legs' its called in the film) which makes it difficult for him to walk.

Early in the film its interesting to see how they, with their own disabilities work together - one can talk and get the ladies, while the other can help him walk.

Soon our protagonist goes to war in air raid duty and takes the pen name Yukio Mishima and writes poems and short stories. It seems by this time he gains the ability to speak clearly, though he still seems nervous. Certain moments in his life is either portrayed with bright colors or black and white - war, being a darker time, is portrayed in black and white, while memories of almost making love to a woman (like what is seen earlier in the film) is in bright color).

The film lies on various levels of reality and fantasy though it's all biographically based on reality itself. Everything can be contributed to the emotions and feelings of the protagonist and how his mind is either constantly in thought of chaos or whatever simply because of what we see around him, and what we hear, and so on.

This is a real visual and emotional treat and shouldn't be missed.