Cold Fish [2010]
Original Title: Tsumetai nettaigyo
Japan
Director: Sion Sono
My Rating: 9/10
This is the second in Sono's "hate trilogy", and this is a depressing and bleak film. So, obviously I liked it. Not only is everyone flawed but everyone is awful, this movie confirms my perceived notions of humanity quite nicely. I'm only half joking there, and I do enjoy a "feel good" movie occasionally, but stories like this provide a nice counterpoint.
Similar to the film Creepy, this is based on a true story and has an antagonist that relies on coercion, intimidation and mind games. The difference is that this story is believable. He may not be charming, but it isn't a total mystery how he gets his way. All the characters are quite believable, whether they are weak and ineffectual, quietly bitter and malcontent or just a bratty teenager.
The story doesn't really build the tension in the first and second act, but instead the events unfold in a more mundane and matter of fact way. This isn't a bad thing, it gives it a real life sort of feel even as the crimes escalate. This also makes the ending more dramatic. The ending is shocking and satisfying, no one gains any deeper knowledge or at least not in a way that is helpful. It just reaffirms the sadness of life and how disappointing the world and it's inhabitants all are.
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