Audition (UK)

I`m writing this mainly in reaction to the other reviews on the site, which dwell on the problems of this particular DVD version, but seem to think that the whole point of the film itself takes place in the climatic (indeed, notorious) scenes. Not true at all.

One of the problems with DVD review sites (including, sad to say, this one) is that while the reviewers are well up to scratch on being able to spot sound and picture quality, their critical judgement of the films themselves often leaves something to be desired. True, the DVD version of Audition is a bit crap from the technical point of view (although it`s a lot better than the VCD version - obviously) but that`s not the reason I bought it - shock, horror. It amazes me that both the in-house reviewers here have dismissed almost the entire film as padding for one scene.

Audition is a pretty extraordinary film, which has a lot more to offer than merely the "notorious" finale. If you go in waiting for that, you might as well just forget it and go rent Scary Movie. Instead, the film presents a slow build up of tension, highly sympathetic characters (if flawed) and a rather moving storyline. The first part of the film is a drama about a widower trying to get his life back on track, it`s not a horror film at all. As his methods prove unscrupulous, his guilt starts to crank up, and the film becomes incredibly ambiguous - is this actually happening to him? Or is it some guilt-wracked fantasy of his?

If you want wall-to-wall gore, look up the same director`s "Ichi The Killer", but if you want an intelligent, powerful (and, oh alright, somewhat gruesome) drama, then Audition is utterly unmissable.

Audition plays like a romance picture for about an hour, then takes some odd turns toward a highly memorable conclusion. The premise is well executed and when the heat gets switched on, Miike`s direction kicks into overdrive and we`re shown some images that could be hard for some folks to shake off. I think we all expect odd cinema from Miike, but his closing touches here push even our expectations from him and if you ask me, that is one reason he is such a gifted filmmaker. He takes a cultural element and turns it on its ear, creating a memorable, powerful picture in the process.

Audition is presented in a 1.85:1 widescreen transfer, which is not enhanced for widescreen televisions and I have to admit, I was more than a little let down with the picture. I knew the image would be soft and a little on the dull side, but I had high hopes, as the case listed this as an all new digital transfer.

The original Japanese soundtrack is preserved in a Dolby Digital 5.1 option, but don`t expect a dynamic, reference level experience here. I found the audio to be acceptable in all respects, but it never moves beyond that and in a movie like this, you want to have superior audio presence. The tension could have been enhanced in that way, but even as it is, Audition is an eerie movie, so I suppose we shouldn`t shout too much.

I recommend Audition to those interested in offbeat cinema.

This is no ordinary movie. Playing on the most horrific nightmares and obsessions, Takashi creates a powrfull horror movie. It is not as gorry or as scary at first, but when you think about it later you will realise that every monster is a product of its own environment so if i were you i would take care of how i treat people. This is a perverse, nightmarish story of a woman who seems like an angel of heaven to the protagonist but turns out to be an angel of hell. Even though the torture scenes will give you a strong desire to turn the damn thing off make sure you don`t. It`s worth the horror - this is not an ars artis movie and i strongly disagree with those who say it`s "art house". It is very real and very much philosophical about patriarchical society, abuse and the easiness with which we make promises. It`s worth your trouble.