Recent Reviews for Dolls
-
MCT:September 18, 2008Il più straziante e poetico film sull'amore che abbia mai visto. Le storie orientali sono sempre silenziose ed estreme nello stesso tempo. Ma si vede che Kitano è anche un pittore.
-
MCT:August 30, 2008This is a film I really wanted to love, because I've got friends who do, and I thought I might, as I rather enjoyed Kitano's "Zatoichi" and would love to see some real Bunraku (a few minutes of which are shown at the beginning of the film.)
Well at least I can say I didn't dislike it, but I didn't feel particularly moved by its over-the-top modernization of old Japanese tales of love, suicide, mutilation and murder. No less than four of the six people whose romances are told in the three accidentally interconnected stories die a violent death, the only two survivors being the only ones not to have acted badly (which probably accounts for Kitano being described as a "moralist"), one of them being disfigured, though, so that only one escapes unscathed (but you get the feeling that she probably got run over by a truck after the end titles have rolled.)
I'm not sure Kitano is such a great director either. I believe people may be fooled by the in-your-face postcard estheticism of the movie, in which I failed to see true cinematic genius. But then again, maybe I'm missing something. -
MCT:July 13, 2008Boring and pretentious. I'm not even completely against movies that are boring and pretentious, but I just couldn't take this. Although I did enjoy the the storyline about the yakuza boss.
-
MCT:June 30, 2008fantastic, haunting stories that cover all angles of love and loneliness. kanno miho gives a very tormented performance, her story being my favourite. hisaishi also made a beautiful score (despite his dislike for the screenplay). -
MCT:June 29, 2008I try my hardest to watch this movie to the end. But no joke, I end up falling asleep every time past the first story. I honestly want to like this movie and I think 1.5 stars is the best it will get from me
-
MCT:June 24, 2008
Such a beautiful film. The movie holds strong to the theme of love and expresses it in all kinds of forms throughout the three stories. The film is quite simple and holds tons of symbolism and covers the entire spectrum of emotion. It's a lot different from what you'd expect from Kitano but this film proves he really is a masterful filmmaker. The scenery and characters are so wonderful there is not much dialog but that is what made this movie so good. It made me happy sad and very pleased. It's such an original piece of cinema and one that will stay in your memory for a long time. Simply wonderful and beautiful in every way a masterpiece.
-
MCT:May 18, 2008Kitano's most harmonic and beautiful achievement about separated stories that deal with human beings and their deep psychology.
90/100 -
MCT:May 18, 2008
What I love about Takeshi Kitano's films is after a while, he eventually just started making them for his fans. If you were already brought in through Hana-Bi, Sonatine, and Kikujiro, you're on your way to being ready for this film. However, it's still a stand-out film amongst his filmography for its emotional strength and outright visual beauty. It's honestly one of my favorites of Kitano's filmography and I'm glad it took so long for me to see it. My matured emotions and mind helped me soak this in far more. Don't see it immediately, see it when you're ready. It's the kind of masterpiece best savored with the right perspective and emotional feeling.
-
MCT:May 7, 2008This was a new type of film for me.... The silence throughout the film was hard to grasp but everything else makes up for it. Unbelievable amonts of amazing color and three unfortunate love stories....
-
MCT:March 4, 2008
Girly Comments & Graphics
-
MCT:January 10, 2008
My favourite movie, I never saw something so impressive before. It is emotional, symbolical both cruel and so beautiful.
-
MCT:December 31, 2007
I'll the risk gladly, but I'll say this: Dolls is one of the greatest cinematic achievements ever! Takeshi Kitano is one of the most talented and brilliant filmmakers alive! I've seen every one of his films and the truth is that there isn't a single one that isn't at least 'good'. I won't say Dolls is his best film, even though in my intimate it is my favourite one, side by side with Hana-bi, but it certainly is one of the most beautiful films I've ever seen.
It might take some time and mind openness to fully get its greatness. Probably why some didn't get it at all... But there's no way you won't get blown away by this modern masterpiece. It's painfully beautiful, sad, melodic, depressing, realistic and visually astonishing! The rose garden scene is something close to sureal... Any aspiring filmmaker has to see Dolls. There's no going back there. It's pretty much a lesson of filmmaking... I can't help finding extremely transcendental that one single man (sensei Kitano) has imagined, wrote and directed this piece of pure, genuine ART...
Like Kitano or not (or even know him at all), if you truly love Cinema than you can't, just can't, miss this wonderful film! -
MCT:December 25, 2007
The cinematography was done very well. A very beautiful looking film. But...somehow, I didn't feel as sad as I think I should have been. Watch this if you like art-house stuff and if you like to contemplate what love means and how it effects those involved.
-
MCT:December 21, 2007
its a masterpiece...the FLIXTER says that is a film of 2004 but i have the impression that it is
film of 2002 ....anyway -
MCT:August 21, 2007
Four stories of pure and intense love connected all together by a pair of beggars. Awesome colors, too - real artwork.
Simply moving. -
MCT:July 24, 2007
I was a little torn about it at first, but after watching an interview with Kitano, it started to make sense with what he was trying to get at. While much of the symbolism will pass people by(me included), the film is stunning. The colors are so highly saturated that they pierce thru the screen(espcially the reds). It's a very tradgic tale that has you questioning the events that unfold, but shows you that these characters are at the director's will, just like the Banraku dolls.
-
MCT:July 23, 2007
A hypnotic and picturesque story of devoted love in the form of sacrifice and tragedy. Stunning visuals leaves a solemnly deep impression that love is felt more deep, holy and lyrical in Japan.
-
MCT:July 19, 2007
Deeply emotional .. simply beautiful ..yet extremely minimalist in its dialogues achieves a great deal in portraying human emotions through its colors , its pace and its overall composition ....
-
MCT:July 5, 2007
I was confused by this film, but liked everything about it no matter how long it took to get thru it. oh boy! It's an emotional journey to places not everyone gets to travel every day.
-
MCT:May 31, 2007
artistic, beautiful views. the director takeshi says this is the most violent movie he has ever made. simply becoz love is violent in ways we don't know.
-
MCT:May 5, 2007
A romantic and tragic film at the same time. Thoughtful and slow it analyses the concept of love in 4 different episodes
-
MCT:April 3, 2007
A man breaks his vow to his girlfriend to take part of an arranged marriage, chosing prosperity over love. She attempts to kill herself and undergoes a mental breakdown. He learns this before getting married and overwhelmed with grief runs to her side. They then begin a lifeless journey roaming around beautiful sceneries, just being there for each other.
-
MCT:March 14, 2007
Three stories of undying love from acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Takeshi Kitano. Bound by a long red cord, a young couple wanders in search of something they have forgotten. An aging yakuza returns to the park where he used to meet his long-lost girlfriend. A disfigured pop star confronts the phenomenal devotion of her biggest fan ... Three stories delicately intertwined by the beauty of sadness.
-
MCT:February 25, 2007
Beautiful and tragic Kitano movie with seperate stories all involving heartbreak. A wonderful yet sad viewing experience.
-
MCT:February 23, 2007
Takeshi Kitano is one of the most important contemporary directors, this is by far his best movie and one of the finest ever made. It's a Minimal love tale in 3 parts , visually stunning, emotional and filled with symbolic colours and symbols. Kitano also uses seasonal change during the 3 stories as a metaphor (a relationship starting in spring and ending in the wintersnow). This perfect work of art is a must see for anyone who loves cinema.
