Wife of a Spy

Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Supai no tsuma" ("Wife of a Spy" in English) is about a woman in 1940s Japan married to a man suspected of being a double agent. It's one of those movies that manages to be romantic and intense at the same time.

One thing about it that I hope catches viewers' attention is the Japanese authorities' discussion of events in China. It refers to Unit 731, where Japanese troops performed horrific scientific experiments on the Chinese. This was just one of countless monstrous war crimes carried out by the Japanese troops in the '30s and '40s. While there was some prosecution of these atrocities, most of them got swept under the rug. No doubt it'll take years to fully expose the war criminals. It's perfectly understandable why Satoko and Yusaku do what they do.

Anyway, it's a fine look at Japan. The generations since WWII have been unwilling to fully acknowledge the country's war crimes; maybe the younger generation will be willing to.

'Wife Of A Spy (2020)' is a historical thriller in which a woman begins to suspect her husband is hiding something when he returns from a business trip. Set during the second world war, the flick focuses on the way in which Japan is changing and demands its citizens do the same. The central character initially cares only for her own safety and happiness (which includes the safety and happiness of her husband), but soon becomes to realise that it's impossible to remain apolitical in an increasingly political world. War cannot be ignored, no matter how hard you try. Though it may sound like a suspenseful story full of enigmatic intrigue, the narrative actually presents itself mostly as a quiet drama. It focuses far more on its characters than on its plot, though these elements do obviously influence each other heavily, and is much slower than you may expect. Claims that it's Kurosawa's attempt at Hitchcock seem slightly off the mark. That doesn't mean it's bad, of course. It's generally compelling and has moments of more concentrated excitement. Plus, its overall tapestry is fairly tactile and it takes a slightly distinct approach to its material. It doesn't seem to quite know how to wrap things up, opting to present an extended epilogue that feels fairly baggy and even a little thematically dissonant. The English-language acting, as infrequent as it is, is noticeably bad; it honestly takes you out of the experience. Despite its issues, though, it's an entertaining affair overall. It's a well-achieved film in almost every technical aspect. Ultimately, it's a solid character study by way of a WWII espionage thriller.

And end with an even longer cry. The story though might be interresting, but not exactly as exciting as could be.its made in a japanese customly humble and cultural driven manner, and very theatrical in its execution. Its a fingerpinchsize of a daring topic to raise, namely the years before ww2 japan, where manchuria was the battle field, the nipponese fascism near its summit, and where spies operated everywhere and upon everyone. Being a wife to a spy is a dire choice of existece, and when you dont know what to believe, even from your right hand side, then tragedy is pretty near.

Its a pretty classical japanese production on a tv broadcaster budget, its pretty rigid on outdoor scenes, and plentyfilled with tears and agony. Some historical images there are but not of the cruel stuff. There are no sex and nudity, barely a kiss to see, but drama youll get if you want that. The grumpy old man had expected more due to norwegian broadcaster nrk's ''the film police'' review.

"However, in Kurosawa and Hamaguchi's oriental frame of mind, a spy game doesn't consist of breakneck automobile chases, fisticuffs or firefights, its tradecraft is solely on an intellectual and psychological level, to Satoko and Yusaku, it is about how to outsmart the military police and defect to USA, with kompromat in their possession, to pressurize Americans to wade into the war and expedite the end of this worldwide atrocity. This is the bigger picture, nevertheless, in the smaller one, WIFE OF A SPY is, first and foremost, a woman's awakening from a repressed patriarchal society, Satoko has no voice, no ambition, a content and obedient wife, clinging to the constancy and uxoriousness from Yusaku. Once she changes her mind about his noble cause (all of a sudden it seems), her life is revivified, somehow, she finally can do something meaningful, which they can accomplish together, she becomes naively proud of being "the wife of a spy", and it also consolidates their crumpling marriage, that is the ideal side of their dangerous mission, in return, she is requested to have plenary trust in Yusaku."

read my full review on my blog: cinema omnivore, thanks.

Wife of a Spy, a historical drama set in Japan during the early days of World War II, centers on Yu Aoi as Satoko Fukuhara, the wife of a businessman (Takahashi) whom she slowly suspects may be a spy for the United States. Be warned, if you're looking for a tense, taught thriller that showcases the art of spycraft, intrigue, and narrow escapes, Wife of a Spy is not that. Instead, it's a solid character driven film devoid of any bombast or spectacle. The film takes its time letting the audience get to know the characters before upending Satoko's happiness, plunging her into a world of lies and deceit.

As Satoko is slowly drawn in to Yusaku's world, her transition from timidity to confidence is almost immediate, making game-changing decisions that forces Yusaku to include her into his plans. Hunting the couple is Masahiro Higashide as Taiji, an ambitious and recently promoted member of military police. Taiji, a childhood friend of Satoko, brings the tension to the film as his affections for Yusaku's wife make for source of emotional conflict for Satoko. While not on screen often, Higashide plays the brooding, power hungry officer well, and shines in his final confrontation with Aoi. The final resolution is painful and melancholic as audiences are taken through the ride of 1940s Japan to settle at the final days of the war.

Starring Yu Aoi and Issey Takahashi, Wife of a Spy's main strength lies in its acting. Issey Takahashi's relaxed, almost informal body language conveys a sense of confidence, of self assuredness in the actions he's taking against his home country. Takahashi is equal parts charming and affable as he moves through the film, interacting with businessmen and officers of the law alike in an easy manner that almost appears effortless. It's this disarming nature that beguiles both the characters and us the audience, and it's only when Yusaku's plans are fully revealed that we realize just how calculating Yusaku has been the entire time.

Still, for all of Takahashi and Higashihde's prowess, the star of the film is Yu Aoi as the titular spy's wife. Aoi's transition from happy housewife to woman of conviction to something entirely different by the movie's end is played masterfully by Aoi as Satoko navigates through the twists and turns of the story. Alternating between ignorance, anger, fear, and confidence, Aoi employs a full acting clinic as she carries the film.

Directed by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Wife of a Spy burns slow, but never manages to bore. Within its 115 minute runtime, Kurosawa has created a world of 1940s Japan littered with possible friends and possible foes. Never explicitly stating who the Fukuharas can and can't trust, the audience is left just as wary as the characters are in their decision making. Kurosawa bring a realistic feel to the movie, choosing to use natural light often to illuminate his characters, helping to lend credence to the period piece. The almost Hitchcockian feel of the film is expertly handled by the veteran director, and while the Wife of a Spy never quite reaches the level of thrills that say Rear Window or Vertigo provide, it still manages to craft a solid story featuring hidden motivations and crisis of identity.

Overall, Wife of a Spy is a competent thriller that manages to keep the audience engaged and guessing throughout. Thanks to a shocking third act twist that's sure to catch viewers off their guard, the film is elevated from standard spy fare to something deeper and more appreciative of the subgenre. More focused on the themes of strong relationship ties and national pride than on espionage, Kurosawa's movie is clever in its approach to the story, choosing to stay focused on Satoko and her desires over Yusaku's scheming. Strong performances from Yu Aoi and Issey Takahashi, as well as the direction from Kiyoshi Kurosawa combine to place it on a list of worthy must-see movies of 2021. Wife of a Spy hits theaters in a limited release September 17th in New York and September 24th in Los Angeles.