I wasn't going to say anything, but seeing review after review posted here with "movie of the century" sentiments, I just had to provide a little balance to the discussion. I must admit, I was strongly compelled to check this movie out after seeing all the 10s posted in its favor. I've heard so many glowing words about the director. But with so many films on my to-see list, I am just now getting around to it about five years late. And know I could have easily waited another five had I known what I was getting into.
I've seen enough movies that I can usually tell within the first ten minutes if it's going to hold my attention or not. I nonetheless sit through them all (even something as dreadful as Dr. Dolittle 2) as I've been wrong in giving up on a movie too early (which was not to be the case with Dr. Dolittle 2).
"Swallowtail" had me squirming with boredom from the get-go, but for reasons stated above, I stuck with it... two and a half hours too long apparently. The casting is awful. The characters are goonish and annoying. The cinematography is wretched. The script. Oy vey. What a mess. And come on, original? Give me a break.
For all its faults, I'll take Miike's "Dead or Alive: Final" any day over "Swallowtail" if I'm looking for cross-cultural future shock. Hell, give me "Suburbia." At least the music's good.
And that's not even to slight Chara, because I am a fan of hers. But watching the vocal chords pop out of her neck as she strains to sing a half-ass rock version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" is entirely too painful.
I recently had a discussion with a friend about Kurosawa Kiyoshi. I was telling her how much I loved his movies to which she replied how boring they were. At the same time, she was telling me how much she loved "Swallowtail" and director Iwai Shunji. At this point, having just finished the movie, I have lost all confidence in her ability to judge a movie. Granted, I am not giving up on the latter director after one movie, but you won't see me rushing out to follow up on the body of his work. Sure, lots more things happen on the screen in "Swallowtail" than a movie like Kurosawa's "Bright Future," but "BF" says more and makes me think more with tons less filler. Now that's power.
I've seen enough movies that I can usually tell within the first ten minutes if it's going to hold my attention or not. I nonetheless sit through them all (even something as dreadful as Dr. Dolittle 2) as I've been wrong in giving up on a movie too early (which was not to be the case with Dr. Dolittle 2).
"Swallowtail" had me squirming with boredom from the get-go, but for reasons stated above, I stuck with it... two and a half hours too long apparently. The casting is awful. The characters are goonish and annoying. The cinematography is wretched. The script. Oy vey. What a mess. And come on, original? Give me a break.
For all its faults, I'll take Miike's "Dead or Alive: Final" any day over "Swallowtail" if I'm looking for cross-cultural future shock. Hell, give me "Suburbia." At least the music's good.
And that's not even to slight Chara, because I am a fan of hers. But watching the vocal chords pop out of her neck as she strains to sing a half-ass rock version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" is entirely too painful.
I recently had a discussion with a friend about Kurosawa Kiyoshi. I was telling her how much I loved his movies to which she replied how boring they were. At the same time, she was telling me how much she loved "Swallowtail" and director Iwai Shunji. At this point, having just finished the movie, I have lost all confidence in her ability to judge a movie. Granted, I am not giving up on the latter director after one movie, but you won't see me rushing out to follow up on the body of his work. Sure, lots more things happen on the screen in "Swallowtail" than a movie like Kurosawa's "Bright Future," but "BF" says more and makes me think more with tons less filler. Now that's power.