Director: Hashiguchi Takaaki
Year: 2002
Country: Japan
Alternate Titles: Abunômaru
Genre: Exploitation; Erotic Horror
Plot:
Attempting to follow through her line of work, a high-end hooker finds that her ability to see ghosts is starting to manifest more frequently to the detriment of her job and sets out to help a ghost that reaches out for her help in order to put him at peace and stop the visions.
Review:
Considering Takaaki's reputation, this one offers a fine mixture
However, where the film falls is with the surprisingly unsteamy sex scenes. Shot in a flat style, these are completely unsexy and come off with a disinterested air. Nearly all the scenes here are depicted in straightforward, matter-of-fact shots that really lose the scene's focus. They are genuinely unerotic or arousing, despite all the naked flesh on display, and while it's commendable that so much of the screen time revolves around performers who are comfortable being naked that's not nearly enough. One set-up that features her in bed with another prostitute before turning into a threesome is somewhat charged due to the lesbianism yet that doesn't last very long. All told, the nudity here isn't enough to make this one feel all that erotic which takes all the air out of the frequent couplings.
Despite its few minor flaws, this is a decidedly decent watch that serves its purpose very well. Being an erotica-themed remake of a big foreign property is enough to be worthwhile, and despite its limitations, it does have enough going for it to be of interest to pinku fans especially.
This review was originally published on Asian Movie Pulse and is gratefully reprinted with their cooperation.
Comments
Post a Comment