Confessions (Kokuhaku) (2010)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Nicki M

  
  Excellent! It was a little hard to follow who was who at times, as it took me a while to realize it was going back and forth in time. By the end I could follow it okay, though. I really liked the look of this film and the use of slow motion, shadows etc - really was beautiful to look… More
  Excellent! It was a little hard to follow who was who at times, as it took me a while to realize it was going back and forth in time. By the end I could follow it okay, though. I really liked the look of this film and the use of slow motion, shadows etc - really was beautiful to look at and the story of revenge, once I got used to how it was being told, was excellent. It is quite an achievement that the teacher came across as sympathetic even though she was awful by the end of it. I unfortunately don't get to see a lot of Japanese films, so I have no idea if the cast are well known or not, but they all seemed very good.

• Tsubaki S

  
  It's another one of those movies that starts well but then drowns in it's own style in the second half. Matsu and Kimura give great performances, Nakashima's obsession with slow mo sequences with radiohead playing in the background get tiredsome pretty quickly.… More
  It's another one of those movies that starts well but then drowns in it's own style in the second half. Matsu and Kimura give great performances, Nakashima's obsession with slow mo sequences with radiohead playing in the background get tiredsome pretty quickly. It's also one of those movies that has teen characters that happen to be super genious at something. Overall, a decent effort that falls short of being even something better and more relevant.

• Lewis C

  
  Wow, I don't even really know where to begin with this one! Confessions is an expertly crafted ensemble drama/thriller about revenge and cruelty. At the center is a teacher whose young child dies in a school pool, but the movie grows to include the narratives of the people… More
  Wow, I don't even really know where to begin with this one! Confessions is an expertly crafted ensemble drama/thriller about revenge and cruelty. At the center is a teacher whose young child dies in a school pool, but the movie grows to include the narratives of the people responsible for the child's death, as well as others connected to them. It's non-linear and the character focus cycles between several people. I haven't seen many other movies like it, actually. It's thoughtful and contemplative one minute, and brutally cruel the next. Confessions is very dialogue driven (hence, the name), but there are moments of shocking imagery sprinkled throughout that carry the story as much as or more than the words of the characters. I thought the whole film was beautifully shot, with various different camera techniques used to augment the narrative. There's a dreamy, surreal, Virgin Suicides vibe to the whole thing that gives it a sedate pace, but that absolutely works. Will everyone like it? Nope. As I said, this is a fairly different type of film, even among the other Japanese films I've seen. It's hard to tailor my recommendation to the type of person who might like this, but I absolutely would hope that anyone interested gives Confessions a shot.

• Jan Marc M

  
  Confessions is of loss, revenge, and redemption. Psychologically intoxicating and disturbing, Confessions features the wildest and ultimate revenge since in Oldboy of South Korea. Overwhelming. For mature audiences only.

• Luke B

  
  The first 30 minutes was gripping stuff. Though it seemed longer than it was. Those first 30 minutes had everything the rest of the film strives for. As the teacher recounts her horrific tale, the vacant students begin to pay attention. The tonal shifts that follow are so dramatic at… More
  The first 30 minutes was gripping stuff. Though it seemed longer than it was. Those first 30 minutes had everything the rest of the film strives for. As the teacher recounts her horrific tale, the vacant students begin to pay attention. The tonal shifts that follow are so dramatic at times, it's hard to rally connect, with anything or anyone. The teacher delivers her story with such flippancy that it's hard to tell if this is real. Nakashima's style suits the happy-go-lucky type films he's used to, but here the slow motion is gorgeous but intrusive. Representing something so complex as a series of vignettes results in a patchy and grim effort. It builds towards a climax that seems very out of place, due to the distance kept between us and the characters. No doubt a brave and different film, but one where some focused storytelling could have really helped.

• Alireza M

  
  Watching east asian movies with revenge themes is becoming intolerable but this one is a must see. Didn't take it's psychological side seriously but enjoyed this stylish , twisted, bloody, dark thriller .It's Japan's official selection for 2011 Oscar

• familiar s

  
  It's been quite a while having watched some decent vengeance flick. After Oldboy (though I didn't like the other 2 movies of the trilogy), I can't remember having watched any good vengeance flick that stands out from the others. This movie is genuine in terms of plot… More
  It's been quite a while having watched some decent vengeance flick. After Oldboy (though I didn't like the other 2 movies of the trilogy), I can't remember having watched any good vengeance flick that stands out from the others. This movie is genuine in terms of plot and execution. Saying more than "It's a movie about revenge by a single mother against 2 students who killed her daughter." would spoil the effectiveness of the movie. Though it is not unpredictable, it's still pretty interesting. The way the movie explores different shades of human nature is incredible. The movie unfolds as events from the perspective of different characters. There are some good twists, which might not leave you dumbfounded, but you may find them dumb. However, that didn't serve as a spoiler for me. What I didn't like was how almost all the students of the class are shown imitating each other like monkeys [Eg: When their Sir Yoshiteru Terada asks someone to volunteer to write a cheerful note to Naoki, no one shows interest initially, but after one girl raises her hand, the whole class does the same. Another one is when the whole class starts shouting "Mozuki" like fools. There are ample of other incidents where the students are displayed as idiots], and how the teachers have almost no control over the class (I can understand if half the class was out of control and for a lesser time). However, I don't know about the students' behavior in Japan, so I can't say it was unrealistic. This deserved to be in the shortlist of 9 movies in the foreign category movies in foreign language for Oscar, although it couldn't get a place in the final list. In fact, had it not been for its nomination, I guess I'd have never heard about this movie. Yep, a good film gets recognition irrespective of its genre or country or whether it gets nominated in the Oscars or not (Eg: Oldboy, La vita è bella, Infernal Affairs, etc.), but this one doesn't cater to a large section, IMO. If you can sit through an unusual plot with somewhat awkward execution, I guess you should give this a try.

• c0up  

  
  'Confessions'. Dark and twisted, but I didn't quite get the point it was trying to make. Can't say I wasn't entertained though

• Justin Y

  
  Based on the novel by the same title, Tetsuya Nakashima's <i>Confessions</i> excels with the storytelling.<p>The entire film is dark in nature, disturbing, and exhausting. At times, it also feels like the entire film is in slow motion. To sum it all up, the 1… More
  Based on the novel by the same title, Tetsuya Nakashima's <i>Confessions</i> excels with the storytelling.<p>The entire film is dark in nature, disturbing, and exhausting. At times, it also feels like the entire film is in slow motion. To sum it all up, the 1 hour 45 minutes do not speed on by; however, all of this isn't as bad as it sounds. This is thanks to Nakashima's directing.<p>The storytelling is phenomenal, as everything is laid out in the first portion. Heck, it is laid out enough that the film could have concluded, but it doesn't and things keep on rolling. Slowly but surely, bits and pieces of the plot become clear which all adds up to a satisfying conclusion.</p><p>The cinematography is a huge plus. From the dark tone to the slow motion, every shot has that feeling of being thought out beforehand and this aids the storytelling nicely.</p><p>The cast is another asset. The young actors and actresses that make up the student body all shine as they successfully display the possible cruelty of teens. Ultimately, Takako Matsu is the star of the show and she ends up carrying the picture right from the get go.</p><p>Despite its depressing theme, <i>Confessions</i> is an example of great film making.</p>

• August S

  
  Mindblowing piece of japanese masterpiece. Confessions sure brought the very intriguing premise in a very satisfying tale of terror. With twists and turns that seems never ending, it's great acting especially with their young actors, Confessions truly captivated me, and most… More
  Mindblowing piece of japanese masterpiece. Confessions sure brought the very intriguing premise in a very satisfying tale of terror. With twists and turns that seems never ending, it's great acting especially with their young actors, Confessions truly captivated me, and most importantly, terrified me with a powerful conclusion.

• Daniel P

  
  One of those rare films that gets better the longer it's on whilst also holding up on repeated viewings, <i>Confessions</i> is a darkly funny but also emotionally powerful (admittedly overwrought), twisty and twisted drama/thriller with a truly superb lead… More
  One of those rare films that gets better the longer it's on whilst also holding up on repeated viewings, <i>Confessions</i> is a darkly funny but also emotionally powerful (admittedly overwrought), twisty and twisted drama/thriller with a truly superb lead performance. The less known about the plot the better, but comparisons with the <i>Vengeance</i> trilogy are favourable and the film is littered with moral questions (and few answers). The final line's a killer.

• Justin F

  
  Morbid, dark, massively violent and very disturbing yet if you manage to persevere with this story it is strangely rewarding. When I first saw this reviewed on the BBCs Film 2011 comparisons to the brilliant Korean film Old Boy were mentioned. I was a little wary of this as Old… More
  Morbid, dark, massively violent and very disturbing yet if you manage to persevere with this story it is strangely rewarding. When I first saw this reviewed on the BBCs Film 2011 comparisons to the brilliant Korean film Old Boy were mentioned. I was a little wary of this as Old Boy is such a unique film in that it is eyeball itchingly horrible and distasteful yet totally absorbing to the point where I hated myself for liking it. Confessions doesnt manage to hit those heady heights but its not very far off and I consider this a big compliment. I cannot go too much into the story without giving away elements of the plot that are important and since the films biggest plus point is the way in which you are constantly suprised by the twists ill try not to do this. On the negative side the film is very violent and sickening and involves children behaving in ways that many will not like though I am sure that the possibility of children being capable of great cruelty is something that is explored heavilly in the story? This and the subject of bullying is examined with another of the underlying messages being that by law children below a certain age can commit unspeakable crimes and not be liable for their actions. What I will say is that despite the brutality and cruelty in this film it is possible to understand the motives behind the hell bent revenge of the main character and its therefore by no means mindless. It may seem odd to say this but you will have to watch and make your own up to see what I mean? Performances are convincing throughout and none more so than Matsu who plays the school teacher of the class. The children in the film are also good and the heavy use of Radiohead helps to add to the dark depressing air of the film. Not one for the family on a Saturday evening but nonetheless strangely compelling and yet again I dislike myself for finding it so interesting.

• John M

  
  "Confessions" is a fresh original revenge movie that will keep you intrigued and interested till the end. It is a darkly disturbing, visually stunning and thought provoking movie ruthlessly exposing the root of various teenage problems and the dark side of human nature.… More
  "Confessions" is a fresh original revenge movie that will keep you intrigued and interested till the end. It is a darkly disturbing, visually stunning and thought provoking movie ruthlessly exposing the root of various teenage problems and the dark side of human nature. The direction masks the revenge story at its heart with a very art-house look and indie soundtrack. The acting is exceptional especially from the young school kids. Great dark hearted movies!

• Christopher B

  
  Beautifully shot and incredibly engaging revenge film from Japan. Almost feels like a novel, where each character is given ample screen time but we still don't know exactly how to feel about them. If I had to criticize (which I don't, so why the hell am I doing it?) the film… More
  Beautifully shot and incredibly engaging revenge film from Japan. Almost feels like a novel, where each character is given ample screen time but we still don't know exactly how to feel about them. If I had to criticize (which I don't, so why the hell am I doing it?) the film does sometimes begin to feel like a music video, but that should in no way prevent anyone from enjoying this one of a kind flick.

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