Special Actors

This is the new feature by director Shinichiro Ueda who burst on the scene recently with One Cut of the Dead, one my favorite movies of the last decade. A cleverly put together funny and heartwarming story that keeps throwing surprises at you until everything is tied up with a beautiful knot at the end.

Special Actors likewise sports this trademark irreverent humour and the unique style that made One Cut of the Dead so amazing. There are a story similarities to movies like the Game, but the way the plot (both the literal plot and the one in the movie) unfolds is decidedly more clever and layered. I think a lot of the subtle references to marketing culture and the so-called new religious movements, and thus much of the humour of the film, will be lost on viewers not familiar with an admittedly not very mainstream aspect of Japanese culture.

There are also a few lengths here and there. I think a good 10 minutes or so could have been trimmed. Whenever the film is moving at a brisk speed it's a great ride, and very funny to boot. The plot conclusion likewise is hilarious, touching and satisfying, but until then the pacing is a bit uneven and we thus don't quite get the next masterpiece by Ueda this very well could have been.

It's worth checking out though when you can catch it at a festival or once it hits home video.