Memories of Matsuko
This is a movie of extremes.
It is absolutely worth seeing this movie but it is not the entertaining experience you might expect based on the colourful graphics of the box and the screen shots full of flowers.
It is an exploration of the comfort that can be scratched from an essentially nihilistic world view, written by what I suspect to be quite a misogynist director.
That the movie is so good is entirely due to the hard work, talent and professionalism of the actors. The special features on this disc are very interesting. This is no western style theatrical love in where no negative words are ever said about anyone working on the film.
Every single actor complains about the director, even going so far as to suggest that he really has issues.
The lead player, a very talented actress who is convincing at every stage of the main characters life has most to complain about. She says she would be happy never to see the directors face again and that she absolutely will never work with him again.
Given such bleak material to work with, what the actors produce is wonderful. Together they create a real piece of art from this material and are engrossing to watch.