Review of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) by James R — 25 Feb 2010

An artistic and dramatic look at the life and death of a popular figure of 20th century Japanese literature. The film stands out almost immediately with its minimalist set designs which look like they belong on a stage in a theatre; itâ??s almost like a rare hybrid of theatre and cinema.

Mishimaâ??s story is told through narration, biographical scenes and through selective renditions of his major works. It seems near impossible to put together who is who and what is being conveyed, what is fiction what is truth between his personal life and his characterâ??s lives.

That seems to be part of the point of the movie which has to deal with art being a mere representation of the beauty it tries to express and that action coupled to art is the purest form of beauty possible.

The film portrays Mishima as a tormented artist with his idea of pure art married to action and a closet homosexual narcissist who only gets involved with his Shield Societyâ??s politics on the basis for art rather than propagating its message, (though of course this is historical-fiction).

Philip Glass is all over this movie and his soundtrack brings out the emotions of each scene with well calculated rhythmic melodies.