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.
A feast for the eyes, and the senses. Ewan McGregor finally dares to play a totally different role.
This complex, erotic, artistic, stylish and beautiful Greenaway tale makes you wonder about our true motivations; the outstanding and depressing (but even so, masterful) direction leads us to an incredible journey to the psychology of the protagonist Nagiko and the secondary characters, which represent many of the most important aspects of life.
This sexual odyssey is worth been watched several times so you can find different and meaningful things after each time. A masterpiece of mofern era, The Pillow Book is a rare gem of contemporary cinematography, and a breathtaking alternative look at the artistic expression.
It's gorgeous to look at, it's erotic, it's disturbing, it's pretentious as hell, it's strangely devoid of emotional connection, and it treats its characters not so much as actual human beings than as reflections of elaborate, often cynical philosophical metaphor... it's a Peter Greenaway movie, in other words.
mostly because of McGregor, who I don't rate as an actor -- unless it's in Trainspotting where he was 'bearable'. Was this the last-but-one decent Greenaway film?
Peter Greenaway is definitely not for everyone. The films are always beautiful though. I personally like the obscureness and avante garde aspects but there are definitely no satisfying resolutions or answered questions.
i've seen this movie a few times...it's just so beautiful and sexy and strange. i love it. ewan and vivan are so gorgeous in this film. a film a far ways from the beaten path...but more wonderful because of it.
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.
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.
Now, I want to see more Japanese flms. This was fabulous, so artistic and sensual. plus, who can resist the alure of a naked Ewan McGregor? I can't, that's for sure.
Peter Greenaway's best movie to date. Filled with magical imagery, music, and cinematography. An absolute masterpiece of art. One I saw on the big screen three times before it left the theater.
Vivian Wu spends over half of the film naked which raises the bar in this film as far as iam concerned. But it also has Ewan McGregor doin the nasty with an old man....yuk! But essentially this film kicks ass. I really got into it and would watch it many times over if given the chance.
MCT:September 4, 2008
MCT:September 1, 2008
MCT:May 19, 2008
MCT:April 17, 2008
MCT:April 12, 2008
MCT:April 4, 2008
MCT:October 7, 2007
MCT:June 20, 2007
MCT:March 14, 2007
