The Pillow Book (1996)
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78% of critics liked it
(27 reviews) -
77% of users liked it
(12,565 ratings)
Peter Greenaway directed this elliptical and visually intricate tale of the far side of erotic and intellectual attraction. As a girl, Nagiko would receive a special gift each year from her father: a calligrapher (Ken Ogata) who would carefully paint a poem on her face, as her aunt (Hideko Yoshida)… More Peter Greenaway directed this elliptical and visually intricate tale of the far side of erotic and intellectual attraction. As a girl, Nagiko would receive a special gift each year from her father: a calligrapher (Ken Ogata) who would carefully paint a poem on her face, as her aunt (Hideko Yoshida) read aloud from The Pillow Book, a classic Japanese text on the art of love. As Nagiko (Vivian Wu) reached adulthood, her father insisted on putting a stop to this ritual, and he persuaded her to marry the nephew of his publisher (Ken Mitsuishi). But Nagiko is not satisfied with her husband, and after finding success as a model, she seeks a lover who will indulge her fondness for literature by writing verse on her naked body. In time, she finds happiness with a British expatriate named Jerome (Ewan McGregor), who persuades her to use his body as paper for her poetry, but the interference of her father's publisher (Yoshi Oida) gives their relationship a tragic turn. Greenaway deliberately mistranslated some of the French and Japanese dialogue for The Pillow Book, hoping that the occasionally fractured language would give the film a "Tower of Babel" quality. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- NC-17, 2 hr. 3 min.
- Directed By
- Peter Greenaway
- Written By
- Sei Shonagon, Peter Greenaway
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Special Interest, Cult Movies
- In Theaters
- Jun 6, 1997 Wide
- On DVD
- Dec 15, 1998
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Yawn.
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Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Never less than mesmerizing, even when you're not exactly sure what exactly Greenaway is trying to say.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Both exhilarating and exhausting, The Pillow Book is undeniably bold, sometimes beautiful, filmmaking.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Manages to carry on Peter Greenaway's tradition of cherishing both the erotic and the exotic.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Anthony L
Great film, Peter Greenaway direction is beautiful! This is the first film were Hollywood took note of the young Ewan McGregor too but it's Vivian Wu who steals the show. *re-review* I just watched this again after 15 years and have completely changed my mind. I guess I was… More
Great film, Peter Greenaway direction is beautiful! This is the first film were Hollywood took note of the young Ewan McGregor too but it's Vivian Wu who steals the show. *re-review* I just watched this again after 15 years and have completely changed my mind. I guess I was young and impressionable back in 1996 or maybe I've turned into a grumpy old man - either way, what I found to be beautiful and exciting cinema I know find to be boring and pretentious theatre. It's still beautiful visually and the idea is still great, it's just Greenaway is far too indulgent and up his own bottom. Vivian Wu steals the show? What the hell was I thinking? Down from 4 stars to just 2. -
Greg S
A beautiful woman is obsessed with inking characters on human flesh, making herself and her lovers into living books. Gorgeous and sensual, with layered images and pictures framed inside of other pictures. Greenaway's painterly picture is a loving tribute both to calligraphy and… More
A beautiful woman is obsessed with inking characters on human flesh, making herself and her lovers into living books. Gorgeous and sensual, with layered images and pictures framed inside of other pictures. Greenaway's painterly picture is a loving tribute both to calligraphy and to the nude human form, and the movie would be a classic if only there was a story attached to the sumptuous images. -
jay n
Well it was different that's for sure. -
Tsubaki S
Everytime i try to get into this film i encounter a solid wall that won't let me pass. Vivian Wu should be in more movies, naked if possible. -
xGary X
Greenaway is definitely an acquired taste; he IS painfully affected and pretentious, but his sumptuous visuals can more than make up for it, and this is probably the most beautiful example of his work. -
Megan S
This movie was pretty weird and slow at times, but it was beautiful and was very artistically shot. There was always a lot going on visually (pictures within pictures, subtitles, text, lots and lots of text). The music reminded me of a Clockwork Orange. And as an added bonus there… More
This movie was pretty weird and slow at times, but it was beautiful and was very artistically shot. There was always a lot going on visually (pictures within pictures, subtitles, text, lots and lots of text). The music reminded me of a Clockwork Orange. And as an added bonus there is lots of completely naked Ewan McGregor. I was watching a little bit of it again before I returned it and I realized I really like the girl's voice. -
Dimitris S
Greenaway uses groundbreaking effects to showcase his influence in mathematics,fine arts,puzzles,juxtapositions and erotic flavor,thus making a visually titillating film,introspective and with boiling lavishness.
Cast
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Vivian Wuas Nagiko -
Ewan McGregoras Jerome -
Yoshi Oidaas The Publisher
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Ken Ogataas The Father -
Hideko Yoshidaas The Aunt/The Maid -
Judy Onggas The Mother
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Chrissy Annas Model -
Ronald Guttmanas Publisher -
Ham-Chau Luongas Calligrapher
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Miwako Kawaias Young Nagiko -
Akihiro Nishidaas Calligrapher -
Barbara Lottas Jerome's Mother
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Jim-Adhi Limasas Man in Lift -
Ken Mitsuishias The Husband -
Farini Chang
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Adrian Kwan -
Tom Kaneas The Book of the Exhibitionist -
Ville Khaapassaloas Intruder
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Andrew Chan -
Chau Lamas Intruder -
Chris Bearneas Calligrapher
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Arnita Swansonas Edele -
Hikari Abeas Nagiko's Baby -
Mariko Ajimotoas 10th Century Woman
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Augusto Aristotleas Calligrapher -
Ryuko Azumaas Grandmother -
Valerie Buchanon
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Anna Chu -
Tania De Jaegeras Model Friend in Café Typo -
Fabienne De Marcoas Model Friend in Café Typo
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Dehong Chenas Calligrapher -
Wichert Dromkertas The Book of the Innocent -
Louis Yiu Shi Fu
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Kana Haraguchias 10th Century Woman -
Midori Hatsudaas Model -
Miwa Hayashias Model
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Yuki Hayashias Young Female Secretary -
Hidashi Hidakaas Calligrapher -
Yutaka Hondaas Hoki
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Daishi Horias The Book of Youth -
Tokiko Horiikeas 10th Century Woman -
Hui Pai Kin
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Seizo H. Inoueas 10th Century Man -
Yuri Inoueas 10th Century Woman -
Aki Ishimaruas Young Nagiko
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Kazushi Ishimaruas Baby Nagiko -
Jo Jo Hui Yuet Chun -
Bobsy Jureidini
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Ai Kanafujias Nagiko's Friend -
Yoshihiro Kawaias 10th Century Man -
Kheim Lamas The Book of the Seducer
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Satomi Kimuraas Nagiko's Friend -
Tatsuya Kimuraas Nephew -
Toshio Kimuraas 10th Century Man
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Fukue Kitaokaas 10th Century Woman -
Kumi Kominoas Elderly Secretary -
Seitaro Koyamaas Nephew
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Lu Jinhuaas Wife of Calligrapher -
Doris Lai Fong Lui -
Masaru Matsudaas The Book of Birth & Beginnings
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Kentaro Matsuoas Calligrapher -
Michiko Matsuoas Nagiko's Friend -
Atsushi Miuraas Husband's Friend
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Takashi Miyakeas 10th Century Man -
Mr. Loas Old Servant -
Mrs. Loas Wife
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Kintaro Murayamaas Nagiko's Friend -
Wataru Murofushias The Book of the Dead -
Yoshihiko Nagataas Husband's Friend
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Hiroshi Nakajimaas 10th Century Man -
Atsuko Nakamuraas 10th Century Woman -
Miwako Namieas 10th Century Woman
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Nguyen Duc Nhanas Calligrapher -
Michell Leigh Nicholson -
Masami Nishioas Nagiko's Friend
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Kiymi Nomuraas Model -
Yuki Nouas Nagiko's Friend -
Yuko Nozawaas Model
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Yasuko Ogawaas 10th Century Woman -
Ohkoas Model -
Chizuru Ohnishias Young Nagiko
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Poon Wing Hong -
Roger To Thanh Hienas Calligrapher -
Sam
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See Wah Leungas Intruder -
See Yan Leungas Bookshop Manager -
Yuko Shimomuraas 10th Century Woman
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Junko Shinoharaas Model -
Kageyoshi Shirakataas 10th Century Man -
Makiko Shojias 10th Century Woman
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Shuen Ngar Lei -
Shiho Takamatsuas Young Nagiko -
Masakazu Takemuraas 10th Century Man
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Munenari Takeshimaas 10th Century Man -
Maskai Taketanias Young Male Secretary -
Eiichi Tanakaas The Book of the Betrayer
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Miho Tanakaas Model Friend in Café Typo -
Hiromi Tanias 10th Century Woman -
Tien Sing Wangas Intruder
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Yorks Tong -
Kinya Tsuruyamaas The Book of Secrets -
Martin Tukkeras The Book of the Idiot
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Terence Tsin Chung Tung -
Kaoru Uedaas Model -
Hiroko Unoas 10th Century Woman
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François Van Den Bergenas Book of Seducer -
Lynne Frances Wachendorfer -
Paul Wan
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Rick Waneyas The Book of Silence -
C.S. Wong -
Tony Man Kit Wong
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Woo Leung -
Wu Weias The Book of Old Age -
Akiko Yokotanias 10th Century Woman
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Atsuko Yoshikawaas 10th Century Woman -
Yoshino Yoshiokaas Nagiko's Friend
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