Tuesday, June 18, 2013

New Love in Tokyo (1994)


This is a weird movie. Plenty of nudity and sex since it's about two prostitutes (ok, ok, one is a dominatrix) who become friends. You see them going about their daily lives, dating men who don't know about their profession and the dominatrix wants to be an actress. Uh, yeah, I've never seen a film quite like this, and I'm not really sure what to make of it.


It's not really pinky violence since there isn't any killing or bloodshed or anything. There is a little subplot about a psycho who is hurting prostitutes, but that's just a tiny part. I guess this is a realistic portrayal of a prostitute's life? It shows how dangerous their profession can be, and the dominatrix gets an STD at one point, which is bad news for her theater buddies since she regularly fucks all of them so they all have to get tested (and treated).


But yeah, I'm really not sure what the point is. I don't think there is really much of a narrative aside from just showing their lives and the random things that happen. For example, you see them trick two guys into driving them to the beach and then they bury those guys in the sand while they go run around nude in the ocean. Every so often, you get treated to some black and white still shots of the dominatrix, which were taken by some famous Japanese photographer. Some look good... some are just ok. I guess each one shows a different side of her. Some are definitely not flattering, which is probably also the point.


The film isn't poorly made or anything. Looks a little dated probably because it needs a better DVD transfer, but it's fairly well shot, the lighting is fine, no obvious glaring continuity mistakes, etc. And it's entertaining. I wasn't bored. There's another subplot about a Yakuza guy who is under tons of pressure from his job so he always goes to see the dominatrix. It's definitely different, and all the nudity and sex will keep your attention. I guess it's good the movie doesn't give you some clear moral message since it lets you form your own conclusions, but I wasn't emotionally moved by the story or truly invested in the characters, which you wouldn't expect from something like this anyway. I suppose the filmmaker just wanted to show the lifestyles of these people, and it is interesting, but it seems a little hollow (maybe that is the point?). Oh well, what the fuck do I know? I'm writing a blog about the boobies so yeah, I'll shut up now.

Boobs, boobs, boobs, I like boobs. I should write songs.

Look at the guy's face... awesome.

Fucking different guys montage. Best...

... montage...

... ever.

I like water.