MISHIMA: A LIFE IN FOUR CHAPTERS / MISHIMA. Viewed on DVD. Director and script co-author Paul Schrader's fictionalized biographical film of Yukio Mishima who was a well-known, multi-talented, and mentally unhinged Japanese artist from the middle of the last Century. Apparently little known in the West, Mishima seems to have caused quite a stir in his homeland some 50 years ago (the effects of which may still be lingering on) by publically committing seppuku after a failed attempt to convince members of Japan's Self-Defense Forces to mutiny and join his small private army to overthrow the government and reinstate the Emperor as the nation's sovereign. Schrader recreates events that occurred on the last day in the writer's life (in November, 1970) and inserts stunning vignettes based on scenes from some of Mishima's novels (three of which are defined by unique color compositions) as well as longish flash-backs (in black and white). The result is well worth repeat viewing (see below). Shot (with mostly a Japanese cast and crew) entirely in Japan, apparently the movie has never been released there (due to family legal action, studio timidity and/or political pressure--take your pick of rumors!). Schrader relies extensively on voice-over (often the mark of an impoverished script and/or production under financing) to help the viewer make sense of what's been distilled on screen. This time out, however, extensive voice-over is really needed for those unfamiliar with Mishima monogatari (which is likely to be most viewers in the West) to catch a multitude of nuance and add a richness of depth. The DVD offered end-to-end narrations in Japanese (the speaker's identity remains in dispute) and English (one is co-hosted by Schrader). Although it rambles a fair amount, the Director's input will really help the viewer struggling to make heads-or-tails out of the movie (the struggle is well worth it, so turn on the narration with your second viewing). There are two de facto stars in this picture: lead actor Ken Ogata (always as pleasure to see in action); and the cinematography (with a very significant assist from the set designer and color-coordinator specialists, it is simply outstanding!). Other performances are mostly workman like as is the direction. Score by Philip Glass delivers a symphonic knockout! Subtitles fail to catch sets of symbols and lines of dialog here and there. Opening credits are translated and all closing credits are presented in English. Recommended. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD. Details: cinematography (wide screen, color, black and white) = 9/10 stars; set design = 9/10 stars; score = 8 stars; sound = 8 stars; subtitles/translations = 7/8 stars; direction = 7 stars; performances = 7 stars;
editing = 6 stars; DVD/print (Criterion, 2008) = 5 stars.
Review of Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
