Audition (Uncut Special Edition) [DVD]

This is Miike Takashi's magnum opus. Both beautiful and honest. Audition is a languorous film. It slowly pulls the audience into a lonely widower's world ... Years after the death of his wife, Shigeharu Aoyama begins seeking a new companion but to little avail. Both he and his friend lament the disappearance of the traditional Japanese woman: one who is trained in the arts, is demure, and graceful. Aoyama's friend is involved in film-casting and arranges an "audition" for Aoyama's potential mate: only the women do not know they are being auditioned for the role of "girlfriend." It is here where Aoyama meets his perfect woman . . . or is she? What is important to know: the film is deliciously slow. It reads like a drama. And, a compelling one at that! Then ... the last twenty minutes are like successive punches to the face. They are ABSOLUTELY shocking ... nearly unbearable! But, if you require immediate gratification, this film is not for you. It is a film about human drama ... the build-up to the grand finale is very long, very deliberate. (And, it is this exact reason why the film is so very startling!!) The cinematography is gorgeous. The soundtrack is thoughtful. The acting is impeccable. The audience genuinely cares for these characters (even Asumi). And while Aoyama may have approached finding a new love in a dishonest manner, he certainly does not deserve the grotesque, unspeakable, impending violence. Our sympathies lie with him. And, even in the final scene (without giving away ANYTHING!), Miike Takashi explains that Aoyama looks to Asami with forgiveness and tenderness (found in director's commentary). What is most startling is that Miike Takashi HIMSELF has explained that the young woman who plays Asami Yamazaki is a method actress, so the vomit scene is REAL!! (Listen to the director's commentary for details!!) Just thought you should know;) This film is a cautionary tale both about the pitfalls of adhering to "tradition" at all costs. Suggested reading: Hantke, Steffen. "Japanese Horror Under Western Eyes: Social Class and Global Culture in Miike Takashi's Audition." Japanese Horror Cinema. Ed. Jay McRoy. Honolulu: U Hawaii P, 2005. 54-65.

A Japanese movie producer, Aoyama, widowed and starting to feel lonely as he heads into middle age and his son grows up, concocts a scheme with a friend and fellow producer to snag himself a romantic partner. In a plot straight out of a slapstick romantic comedy, the two begin holding studio auditions for the lead female role in an upcoming (and incidentally, non-existant) project, in hopes that Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi of The Grudge (Unrated Director's Cut) , The Grudge 2 (Unrated Director's Cut) , and Suicide Club (Suicide Circle) ) and one of the lovely young actresses trying out for the part will hit it off. The actress Aoyama ends up falling for is a girl named Asami (the beautiful Eihi Shiina), who he indeed does end up getting involved with. It starts off with a comedy-sounding plot, then seems to be developing into a sweet, though at times rather tense, romantic drama. Except for those little moments that crop up suggesting something is...off...and then making it apparant that there's something far more than just 'off' or unusual taking place. "Audition" evolves into one of the scariest and most sinister horror movies to ever creep up on you, a wonderful, twisted treat that might have you wanting to burrow under the cushions to safety, as Aoyama begins to have questions about this new woman in his life, and if she might have secrets unknown to him. Spectacularly well-made and jarringly realistic, superbly acted (with its two leads especially deserving of praise), it's often a quiet movie - literally, not metaphorically, as some parts of the film are similar to the almost-silent-movie air of much of director Takashi Miike's 'Box' segment in 3 Extremes . Audition has some of the most memorable moments of horror - both psychologically and visually - out there, and is one of Japan's best offerings in the field of mystery and terror.

From reviews I read before watching the movie, I pegged this as a sure-to-scare horror movie with sure-to-stimulate psychological thrills. Asian cinema has a flare I don't find in American flicks. I was impressed with production, as well as directing, editing and superb acting. The storyline was expertly established from the beginning. The loneliness of the title character was unquestionable. So was that of the unexpected 'perfect lady.' Unlike many reviewers, I missed the horrifying 'horror.' This was a unique thriller and skillfully executed, even when dialogue was absent. But, to me, this was not a horror movie. The 'creepy' factor was missing, so I watched in expectation of something I never experienced. The 'perfect lady' was definitely demented and did horrible things, but didn't horrify me. If the movie was dubbed an unusual drama with unexpected, disturbing twists, I would have had more of an open mind. I guess, for me, the jury is out as to what sort of film this is. It's not a typical horror film, but it's very well done.

The genius of this movie is that it sneaks up on you. The whole thing is simply a set-up to get you to think the way they want you to about the characters, so that when they change it is subtle. The characters are realistic, so not particularly outrageous or interesting. The whole thing is very 'romantic drama' with a bunch of people that seem to have no twist to them at all. Even though I knew that the girl is a psycho killer (just look at the cover) I found myself viewing her as some normal sweet little Japanese girl. After the first time I saw her do something horrific in the movie (I wont spoil it for you) I quickly went back to thinking of her as the sweet innocent girl. When that happened, I realized that the film makers were really getting inside the heads of the audience. It works. It's not gory or overly violent, but creepy. If you want lots of blood and big creatures jumping out at you, or people that get shot 30 times before they die, watch something else. If you want real creepy, psychological horror, watch The Audition.

I saw this on tv, while I was cleaning house. It just came on, and I left it on and paid halfway attention to it. I thought how quiet and boring it seemed. Then....that changed. It rarely comes on TV, so I just HAD to order it. I love most of the Asian horror movies I've seen. This one is truly creepy and good. Love it. (I can't give more away about the plot without spoiling it for you. It's a good, creepy horror movie, but be warned that it is very slow moving, and since it's foreign, I had to pay close attention to catch all the plot points. Even then, I think I missed some, but not enough to bother me.)

Not scary at all, after watching flicks like A Serbian Film , this show didn’t even come close to being scary. For the price and being uncut...I just expected a lot more gore or unimaginable Torture.

Too late. If you are here looking at reviews, you already know too much about this movie. Watch it anyway, but it will lose a little bit of edge. The less you know when you hit PLAY, the better it will hurt. For me personally, I knew where it was going, but getting there was still a rough drag through the razor pit. Now, if you have a buddy who likes Asian Horror, I want you to do for them what I wish someone did for me. Make them watch this movie with zero-preknowledge*. Don't even let him read the back of the box. Say to friend, "yeah its some kind of relationship flick** but you gotta see it anyway." If you friend is like me, they will thank you afterwards. Once the movie is over you can unwind laughing at the extra feature where other horror directors and authors talk about how much they were disturbed by _Audition_. * NO. Do NOT inflict this one on someone does not like really messed up movies. Thats just immature and unkind. ** technically this is true....

I hesitated for a while before viewing this movie. Usually movies that get such high ratings I find aren't all that. But this one was. I won't go over the plot, it's been done here in many other reviews. What I liked about the movie was that it took time to build up the main characters. Some say it was slow, maybe so. But the story that lead up to what happened wasn't your typical slasher flick. These people have a character, they are fleshed out very well here. You are drawn to them as people first throughout the movie. When the blood does begin to spill, I felt more than just fear. I actually felt sorry. Mostly for the girl. It shows her life, through flashbacks, and how horrible it became until she finally snaps. About the flashbacks.... it got to be confusing because there were times it was hard to tell which was present day and which was in the past. And that was all I didn't like about the movie. The slashing that takes place is purposeful, also. I know that sounds a bit sick. But the female lead character has reasons for each dismemberment that she does! Although she is a sick person, she delivers each wound with thought that goes way back in her history. She is deliberate at the time she is chopping. I found that a little different from most other shasher flicks. This movie is indeed chilling because the characters are given such a full expression and personality. It is easy to see that when one starts a dance with this femme fatale, that it ends up fatal! I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants a bit more than just mindless and gratuitous chopping.

Miike's best film for me, its got a wonderful slow burn to it, creepy atmosphere, perfect acting and wonderful directing. I have been a huge horror fan for many years and this is my personal favorite, it just does so many things wonderfully. If you want to get scared or you like Miikes other movies, check this out! Audition, Gozu and Rainy Dog are my person favorites of his. This is a perfect example of how to do horror, you don't need tons of violence every second, Miike earns every second of the gory violence that happens late in this movie, as his pacing is just perfect throughout the whole movie, never jumping the gun.

Great takashi miike flick !