Noriko's Dinner Table Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: After a girl runs away from home she finds herself entangled with a seedy organization and the effect this has on her family.

Review: Even though this film is pitched as the sequel/prequel to "Suicide Club" it's actually more of a side-story with only loose connections. If you are looking for further answers or a continuation to the events of SC then expect to be severely disappointed. This film serves more as an expansion on the themes from SC while abandoning the mystery, intrigue, and horror elements in favor of drama and an examination of the family structure and society. In fact, I feel as though the little inferences we learn about the SC conflict with, at least my own, understanding of the first film. If you read my review for SC then you would know the elements I liked the most were the engaging mystery, intense atmosphere, and creative approach with an original story; removing all of this in favor of a two and half hour long family drama doesn't cut it for me. While I can appreciate a lot of the ideas they were trying to explore, this film and SC are not compatible in the least and will attract two totally different audiences.

The story divides its time between the perspective of four different characters and their journey together over about two years. The catalyst is Noriko, who is a rebellious teen seeking more out of life than her small town can offer. She stumbles upon a website where she talks with peers she feels she can connect with and eventually runs away to Tokyo to meet an online friend named Kumiko. Kumiko, who explains her origins like this is actually a sequel to "The Locker," is the leader, or higher up, in some organization that performs family role-playing; meaning, Kumiko and associates are paid to be whatever family member the client wishes them to be and act out whatever fantasy they wish. This may appear more devious than it really is since this movie is trying to stress the family connection and how individuals cannot accomplish them naturally. Slowly, Noriko becomes brainwashed and loses her sense of identity calling herself "Mitsuko" which has nothing to do with the Mistuko from SC (as far as I know). Somehow inspired by Noriko, and also lacking a sense of belonging, Yuka, Noriko's sister, follows in the same footsteps and joins up with this role-playing group; although it's important to note that Yuka's reasons are far different than Noriko's and retains a little more independence from the brainwashing.

Noriko and Yuka's father, Tetsuzo, only decides to track down the girls once their mother commits suicide, realizing a lot of what has transpired may be his fault. As a journalist, Tetsuzo comes across the suicide club or at least some bitch boy claiming to be a part of it. This is kind of where I start to get pissed off, because they greatly imply this organization that Kumiko operates is the suicide club! How can this be? There is a brief scene that shows the 54 schoolgirls killing themselves with Kumiko and Noriko present...are we to believe that these girls were acting out roles within the group? The movie wants you to think that. This might work in theory, but then what about the nurses and tons of random people around Japan that killed themselves? How the hell were they acting out roles? Plus, how would this connect to Dessert, the little kids, the rolls of flesh, and everything else "Suicide Club" proposes?! Sorry, but it just doesn't add up. Plus, if everyone who committed suicide was merely brainwashed, then why didn't Noriko kill herself or Kumiko either who flat out wants to die? And who or what fucking backs this damn organization?! Are you seriously trying to tell me that putting on a few acting gigs gave this group enough money and influence to establish Dessert, have little kids run the show, and supply some kind of subliminal messaging to brainwash people so that they take on roles to commit suicide even though supposedly they were already brainwashed in the first place?! Okay, I'm raging a bit now. Moving on, Tetsuzo arranges for the organization to role-play with him at a house he has staged to look like the family home and requests to have Noriko and Yuka as his daughters. When the girls arrive at the house, the brainwashing begins to wain as they feel their memories returning. Kumiko, suspecting something earlier, arranged to have flunkies kill Tetsuzo, but he manages to kill them all, because he's the man and they are called flunkies for a reason. The four have one final role-play together as a  happy family before going to sleep. In the morning, Yuka runs off still uncertain of her place in the world, Kumiko looks suspicious but may intend to kill herself given her apparent self-hatred or may have found whatever she was looking for in life, and Noriko reaches self-actualization, finally referring to herself as Noriko once more. In essence, the film leaves you, again, to figure out what it all means, but I don't care enough this time.

I may sound harsh, mostly because I feel as though the original notion of what SC represented is wasted, but I did like this movie for what it is. I know things can feel pretentious, and I would say some moments are, but there is an interesting look at society, family life, and what it's like to lose people close to you; however, the overly long running time did not help when these themes could have been presented more concisely without all the added layers of bullshit to appear artsy. The drama is moving though, and the characters are surprisingly compelling with excellent acting from the main four. The three girls are each beautiful, but it still kind of baffles me that the actress who played Kumiko has transitioned to porn; but, then again, she goes by the singular stage name, Tsugumi, so I guess it's not all that shocking. Also, while looking into the cast's background, this is like the hundredth time I was looking at an actor's filmography and noticed "Funky Forest" amongst their repertoire; I guess I need to finally watch that movie even though it looks like I will hate it. Overall, I would say this movie is worth watching, but probably if you have no expectations regarding its connection to "Suicide Club." You could easily watch this film first and not miss out on anything, but I'd suggest you pick and choose depending on your taste. "Suicide Club" is for horror and mystery fans while this film is for those who like drama and more in-depth characters to follow. I know there are definitely those out there that feel this is the stronger film, but I guess it depends on what you feel makes a film strong. For me, I'd go with "Suicide Club," but if you can truly appreciate both films for what they offer individually, then you will truly understand what the writer/director, Sion Sono, was striving to convey.

Notable Moment: When we run into one of the cult members briefly and learn just a tad bit more about what is going on. If only the whole film could have taken things further rather than leaving even more questions than answers.

Final Rating: 6/10