Review of Tony Takitani (2004) by Eunice C — 02 Jul 2007

I was walking around Blockbuster, with no real desire to watch any specific film. TO my disappointment, "Blades of Glory," which my mother wanted to watch, was not released yet. So, I walked aimlessly looking for something to bring home. Recently, I started studying Japanese again. I came across this title with a desire to reminisce of my days in Japan. And the positive reviews on this mystery movie only enticed my curiousity. So I picked it up along with an Andy Lau film. In the middle of the night, when nothing but ?Girls Gone Wild? infomercials were on, I popped the DVD in and took out my Japanese book.

Tony Takitani is introduced as lonely and miserable as aesthetics of the film. The camera movements were slow and the colors were diffused, which supplements Tony?s persona as a monotonous loner, who had lost everyone he had loved throughout his entire life. His life is changed when he meets a beautiful woman, whom he marries immediately. Life only seems grand until he soon discovers her one and only flaw, shopping. Although it may sound ridiculous, the presentation of these events and facts come off very tragic. And the consequences are heartbreaking.

?Tony Takitani? was adapted short story written by Haruki Murakami, which explains its short story structure and third person narration. The story and characters are well developed and literary aspects of the film are poetic and beautiful.

The acting and aesthetics are incredible. However, this is not a film for those who prefer the Hollywood traditional film. This film excercises the slow and voyeauristic qualities of Japanese film making, which some may find slow and boring.

Although the film may appeal to a specific audience of art films, I think this film may appeal to anyone who has ever felt lonely. The film is nice and short, only 75 minutes and, from my perspective, has a happy ending.

Pick it up.