Kagi (Odd Obsession) (The Key) (1959)

67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(100 ratings)

Several cinematic variations on Junichiro Tanizaki's novel about jealousy, voyeurism, and sexual arousal began with this award-winning drama by director Kon Ichikawa. Kenji Kenmochi (Ganjiro Nakamura) is the older and increasingly impotent husband of young Ikuko (Machiko Kyo). He is desperate to… More Several cinematic variations on Junichiro Tanizaki's novel about jealousy, voyeurism, and sexual arousal began with this award-winning drama by director Kon Ichikawa. Kenji Kenmochi (Ganjiro Nakamura) is the older and increasingly impotent husband of young Ikuko (Machiko Kyo). He is desperate to regain his virility and when injections fail to do the trick, he discovers by spying on his daughter and her lover that jealousy will arouse him. Determined to succeed, he connives to bring his wife and his daughter's lover together -- so he can become jealous and sexually virile again. Unfortunately for Kenji, his plan has tragic consequences. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Kon Ichikawa
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1959 Wide

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Ichikawa's more straightforward narrative method doesn't do justice to all the ironies, but this is a still a singular and memorable movie.
Elliott Stein, Village Voice
One of his most striking films.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
The point is made early; the rest is perversity without passion.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Never fully aroused me.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Even more striking than the film's flagrant sexuality and its disconcerting, absurdly comic twists is Kon Ichikawa's stylistic flair -- his use of freeze-frames, distancing insert shots, and unrealistic color.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The film cannily shifts through different points of view.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]In "Odd Obsession," Kenji Kenmochi(Ganjiro Nakamura) is worried about not being able to please his younger wife, Ikuko(Machiko Kyo), sexually anymore, now that he is getting older. One possible solution he has is to use Dr. Kimura(Tatsuya Nakadai) as a… More
[font=Century Gothic]In "Odd Obsession," Kenji Kenmochi(Ganjiro Nakamura) is worried about not being able to please his younger wife, Ikuko(Machiko Kyo), sexually anymore, now that he is getting older. One possible solution he has is to use Dr. Kimura(Tatsuya Nakadai) as a focus for his jealousy. Complicating matters is that Dr. Kimura is treating Kenji, while trying to keep it secret from his wife, so as not to worry her. Complicating matters even further, is that Kimura is hoping to marry Toshiko(Junko Kano), his grown daughter...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]Directed by Kon Ichikawa, "Odd Obsession" is a perversely satisfying morality tale. As with any movie of this subgenre, there is a line that is crossed, in this case it involves desire. While it is not wrong for Kenji to want to satisfy his wife, he also has to remember that growing old is a natural part of life and it is best to do so gracefully. Remember that this movie was made long before the invention of Viagra but practically foresees one of the more popular uses of the internet.[/font]

Cast

Machiko Kyo
as Ikuko Kenmochi
Ganjiro Nakamura
as Mr. Kenji Kenmochi
Junko Kano
as Toshiko Kenmochi

Tatsuya Nakadai
as Kimura
Tanie Kitabayashi
as Hana
Ichiro Sugai
as Masseur

See full cast

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Kagi (Odd Obsession) (The Key) (1959)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

Cast

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