The Snow White Murder Case

When I undertook media studies in high-school, we learned how the internet has granted us unlimited access to knowledge, but besides this, the internet has not given us the ability to acquire the truth, and The Snow White Murder Case (based upon the text by Kanae Minato, which I am yet to read) is a marvelous example of this unfortunate fact.

This highly watchable and influential drama, which efficaciously combines a riveting, intelligent storyline with on screen social media, provides a brutally honest depiction of bullying, peer pressure, and online harassment, encapsulating the feel of not only the media, but the contemporary social climate, complimenting, yet at the same time criticizing the depths of our technological age in a film that is as much a character drama, as it is a documentary.

The feature is a real eye opener, revealing how easily the truth can be manipulated by not only those who produce the media, but those who respond to it, and how the opinion of a single individual can suddenly become the driving influence behind everyone's ideas, truly emphasizing the potency of what we dub viral media.

To have Twitter updates and other social media news cycles appear on screen as the story emerges may seem like an ambitious undertaking that will inevitably distract, or counteract the original intentions of the feature, everything is brilliantly intertwined. The way the screen is occasionally divided, thanks to the incredible camera work and editing, is sublime.

This particular story of jealousy, greed, friendship, family and hardship, begins with the violent murder of Noriko (Nanao), a beautiful employee at a cosmetics company. We are originally unsure of who the murderer is, but the brutality of the crime is a clear indication of the unquantifiable hate needed to enact such overkill.

Risako (Misako Renbutsu), a colleague of the victim, contacts ex-boyfriend Yuji (Gou Ayano), after been interviewed by police. A food critic, Yuji is desperate to rise above his station, and despite Risako asking him for discretion in this matter, he cannot help broadcasting details about the case across the internet. This, coupled with his unhealthy obsession, immediately presents him as a character we can neither respect, nor feel sympathy towards.

Risako mentions a possible suspect, Shirono (Mao Inoue), who inexplicably vanished the same night as the murder, and though it is nothing more than wild speculation, a witch hunt, instigated by Yuji, begins to consume social media as the public becomes enthralled with finding the suspect. In a world where people are meant to be innocent before proved guilty, Shirono is never granted this opportunity, regardless of whether or not she is responsible.

The cast's portrayal of the characters is exceptional (and, as always, Ms. Renbutsu is so unbelievably adorable), though it is Ms. Inoue who is especially magnificent in her role, efficaciously presenting not only her character, but the depictions that colleagues and old acquaintances have of her.

Over the course of the feature, the film exposes how every individual contains the beauty of Snow White, and yet can equally represent the hostility and antagonism of the wicked witch, and despite cultural differences often having a major role to play in society, when it comes down to it, everyone has an agenda, and some people, regardless of where they're from, will do anything to end up on top - even murder.

The musical score that accompanies the scenes, especially the string instruments, brings further emotional quality to the feature, alongside the strong use of imagery. When Yuji traverses around the scene of the crime, the tense atmosphere is so cold and dark, it is utterly foreboding, while in another instance, when a woman admits another young lady was her partner, the image of her intertwined legs resembles those belonging to paramours after a night of passion. Moreover, the occasional use of animation to depict what people are thinking, alongside revealing their vivid imagination, adds an extra level of character depth that benefits the story.

A powerful, dramatic and heartfelt film, The Snow White Murder Case is undoubtedly one of the best 2014 dramas I have had the privilege of viewing. Containing a series of powerful messages, with a plot that continuously keeps you guessing, this feature is one of those rare gems that people simply have to watch, for it not only entertains the audience, it critiques our society as a whole.

This is what I love about Japanese cinema. It is not all the time that I could catch a story as gripping as this one. I'm a fan of crime mysteries and this one is a treat! I have "Confessions", a Japanese film, in my mind during my first watch of TSWMC. Although it is not as psychological and as dark as the earlier film, there was still the trademark of the wonderful skill of plot construction of its writer. (Both films are based on her novels) I liked this film even more because of the appearances of Mao Inoue and Mitsuki Tanimura, and also because the theme of the use of social network inappropriately at times is timely and significant. Direction was okay, it did not feel forced and I liked it that way. Actors did really well. Not much of violence were shown. You'll like this even more if you're a fan of plot twists in movies. Personally this is the best Japanese film (if not the best film at all) I've seen this year so far.

(Review previously posted on my Letterboxd account.) I recommend this crime mystery/drama.

Viewed at CineMatsuri 2015. Director Yoshihiro Nakamura utilizes a murder mystery plot device as a vehicle to explore troubling facets of modern Japanese society. This is a clever , original, but also somewhat derivative photo play. The Director simultaneously exploits an on-screen mash up of multiple contemporary communication media to tell his tale. Pictorial presentation of the flow of instant messaging is especially well done. Nakamura also shows a subculture seldom (if ever) seen by those living on the outside. It is the working environment of female office clerks and low-level salary women. And the explosive impact that seemingly trivial matters can have by engendering mental illness and murder. The shallow nature and undue influence of 7/24 social media on those who follow and engage in these communication channels is repeatedly underlined. There is an abundance of red herring and misinformation as well as subtitle cues as to the identity of the murder. Nakamura uses the common murder mystery mechanism (especially on TV) of repeating the same scene over and over again, each time from a different character's point of view to slowly remove question marks on viewers' collective foreheads and unmask the culprit. The film is much too long and padded with mostly irrelevant childhood experiences apparently to add depth to character development (and to further engage the viewer using cute child actors?). The closing scenes are clearly contrived (one gets the feeling that multiple endings may have been shot and someone other than the Director picked this one). Cinematography (1.78 aspect ratio, color) and lighting are excellent. Set decoration seems a bit inconsistent. Music fits in well with other film components. Subtitles are fine. However, only above-the-line names are translated in the credits. Highly recommended. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.

Okay, I'll admit it-I was conflicted about shelling out another $4.50 for what appeared to be another unexpected sequel in Disney's ever-evolving Snow White saga at my local Blockbuster rental. But Snow White 3: The Snow White Murder Case (or Shirayuki-hime Satsujin Jiken, as the case may be) is worth every single cent and more. I knew Disney was bold after the black-and-white matador masterpiece and the teen-angst summer camp drama, but THIS? Set entirely in JAPAN and completely in JAPANESE? I'm speechless.

This is Disney on a whole new level.

The cultural leap is stunning. From the flamenco-drenched sand of Spanish bullfighting arenas to a dark forest youth camp, and now to the elegant minimalism and chilling suspense of a modern Japanese murder mystery-it's like we're watching Snow White transcend space, time, and language. It's just... ART.

The story weaves a complex tale of office politics, viral media, and cold-blooded suspicion. And yes, our girl Snow White is right in the middle of it-now reinvented as a young woman caught up in a murder scandal that shocks the nation. It's bold. It's sleek. It's intelligent. It's got that Disney magic we all know and love, just hidden under a thick layer of cinematic nuance and Tokyo fashion.

My wife tells me to shut up about Snow White. My kids groan. My friends roll their eyes. But they don't get it. They never did. This isn't just a fairytale anymore. It's a movement. A deeply connected and evolving mythology unlike anything we've seen. Bullfighting. Problem youth. Japanese social commentary. What's next? A Snow White courtroom drama? A space opera? I'll be stalking Blockbuster's aisle 6 like a hawk.

Incredible acting, tight direction, powerful themes-it's not just a worthy follow-up, it might be my new favorite in the trilogy.

Snow White 3: The Snow White Murder Case is where fairy tales meet real world edge. Disney, you brave beautiful beasts. I salute you.

This crime suspense is definitely worth your money since it includes so many elements: apart from the usual murder suspense and guess who is the killer, weaved into the mystery is the role of twitter and gossip-style TV programmes. Also, buried into the core of the murder of the beautiful snow white office lady Noriko Miki (Nanao) is the fundamental belief/myth that beauty is often associated with a positive personality. Added to all these is how we choose/reconstruct our memory and express ourselves.

With such a rich plot the script and direction has to be systematically laid out and they do. The audience can easily be sucked into the story from the beginning when TV crew Yuji Akahoshi (Go Ayano) goes to a friend Risako Karino (Misako Renbutsu)'s house to be informed of a murder in her company.

The movie opens well and creates an impression that the beautiful Noriko (Snow White) is nice and kind and innocent. As the story slowly unfolds, we discover that she is not as perfect as she appears to be and our main suspect, her co-worker Miki Shirono (Mao Inoue) is not as bad as she seems. The way the movie lays out testimonials from different people who talk about their selected reality or even lie about it is very enticing.

It is sort of like Rashomon but despite all these different versions there is got to be only one reality. Therefore it becomes very interesting deducing each witness' different motives and whether they are lying. It is extremely intriguing to see how colleagues and coworkers perceive the same person and recount their experience with that person differently.

What is most interesting is that their evidence do not add up because it is not a conventional/professional police investigation which supposedly cross-examines different witnesses and irons out conflicting facts. Instead, it is from the point of view of data collection for a juicy talk show and a personal twitter of one of the TV crew. I am not familiar with Japanese justice system but this type of talk show, going on air while police is still investigating the case, could easily cause the TV station to be committing contempt of court.

Other than exposing how human selectively remember/recount their experience, these interviews are also done in absolute free flow. In order words, there are no follow up questions for verification or triangulation of the evidence. Ditto the twitters of the crew. With the explosion of information and democratic use of social media, everyone can act like a journalist or columnist but that might not necessarily lead to fairness or justice. With an unsophisticated audience, the public can easily be misled and even a police investigation could easily be skewed. The situation almost steer into online bully and media trial which is grossly unfair to the people involved. I wish the script could explore more on this aspect.

In a way, there are probably too many characters involved too. Therefore, it may be difficult to depict the main storyline deep enough or the motive plausible enough. The movie seems to lose momentum after the TV crew goes to the suspect's hometown and the audience learn more about the early years of some of the main characters. The ending was somehow weak and meek compared with the enticing beginning and smooth development.

I quite enjoyed the same author Kanae Minato's previous work Confession. But this story is a little overbuilt with a weak end. In terms of crime thriller, I think it is not as good as Gone Girl, although both were written by a female author depicting a female killer. However, the Snow White Murder Case is quite worth watching as it makes you wonder what lies behind each person's façade, regardless of their beauty, their name and their position.