If you want the full sledgehammer-to-the-stomach effect ofAudition, stop reading this review now. Just watch it and take the consequences. At first glance, Takashi Miike's jack in the box of a movie works like a romantic comedy: amiable widower Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) decides it's time to find a new wife, and a friend suggests holding a fake audition to find the right girl. It soon becomes clear that there is something wrong with Aoyama's choice. This is no ordinaryFatal Attraction-style thriller, however;Auditionslowly and carefully builds into a wrenching exploration of both deep male fears and the stereotype of the cute, submissive Japanese woman.Auditionis by no means an easy movie to watch--even hardcore horror fans may have trouble--but it will stay with you for a long, long time.--Ali Davis
Whenever someone who has no knowledge of Japanese director Takashi Miike asks me what I can recommend from his works, I say “AUDITION” about 99 % of the time. Miike has become very famous in the West because of this film, it paved the way for his other works to be released in America and Europe. I would not go as far to say that it is his finest film, but it is arguably his most famous. “Audition” is based on the book by Ryu Murakami of the same name. Most people … more
AUDITION If there ever was a movie that I would no doubt say is one of the best movies ever if I was asked this would be it, in fact I would say that this is in the top 10. To those who have yet to see this film know now that you are in for a ride that you will never forget. J-Horror has become a very popular thing here in the states lately but let me say that these American remakes are nothing compared to the real deal productions from Asia. If … more
There is a huge difference between this film and other horror films and that is it has more story than gore. There's not that much violence but this girl still freaks you out with her insane secrets. The beginning is a little long but it's put to good when you see how it all comes together at the end. I started watching Audition expecting a very scary movie meaning excessive gore and things that really aren't needed but instead I got a thought provoking film and that's how it gets in your head. … more
It's difficult to know what my reaction to this film is. I have several, they're strong and they're pulling me in different directions Based on a novel by Ryu Murakami, director Takashi Miike's Audition is surprisingly "deliberate" and straightforward for much of its length. It's not a bad film at all, but most of it is in the realm of realist drama, even becoming something of a romance at one point. There are a few brutal images and scenarios, but they arrive primarily towards … more
Audition was recommended to me by an Amazon friend, Claude777 and I am glad that I heeded his recommendation! This movie and the visuals that take place were quite disturbing and haunting and even more so than "Ringu" (which others like to compare this movie to). Director Takashi Miike's movie starts out like any other run of the mill romantic comedy - milquetoast, sweet and recently widowed Shigeharu (Ryo Ishibashi), his son, Tetsu Sawaki (Shigehiko Aoyama) and housekeeper … more
I just rented Audition a couple days ago, it's still here, and I will probably watch it at least 4 times by the time I have to return it. Then I plan on buying it when I get a DVD player.Ordinarily I am not even that much into "thriller" or "horror" types of movies. Seen a bunch, didn't get much out of them. Thus it's not really my preferred genre. After seeing Audition it turns out that the only reason I'm not too into this genre is because none of the other examples are as nightmarishly believable … more
I just rented Audition a couple days ago, it's still here, and I will probably watch it at least 4 times by the time I have to return it. Then I plan on buying it when I get a DVD player.Ordinarily I am not even that much into "thriller" or "horror" types of movies. Seen a bunch, didn't get much out of them. Thus it's not really my preferred genre. After seeing Audition it turns out that the only reason I'm not too into this genre is because none of the other examples are as nightmarishly believable … more