Audition (1999) Review

Disclaimer: Contains spoilers!

Plot Summary: A widower seeks out a new wife but ends up finding a deranged killer instead.

Review: This film is often held up as one of the Asian horror legends, but I have never been able to agree with that. No doubt about it, this is a good film, but is it a great one--worthy of the level of praise it has received? Nah. Realistically, this is 90 minutes of uneventful drama followed by 20 minutes of hallucinations and torture scenes. This isn't to imply that the drama doesn't work, however, it's nothing special or unique. The twisted scenes that are always discussed all come at once during those final 20 minutes, but that simply highlights the dragging nature of the plot. If you interpret the film in a specific way, admittedly, it does feel like a better story all around. The problem with that avenue though is that the director, Takashi Miike, objects to interpretations being more psychological (or in the head of the protagonist). There is a book as the source material, but I'm not sure how much it has in common with the film's version of the story.

The straightforward interpretation: Aoyama's wife dies 7 years earlier. After his son tells him he should consider remarriage, Aoyama's friend arranges for Aoyama to mask his wife-hunting within a casting audition for an ambiguous film. Aoyama becomes infatuated with a girl named Asami who is a bit reserved and timid. Upon pursuing Asami romantically, he slowly begins to realize there might be something sinister going on with her. After the two finally screw, Asami disappears for a time. When she next appears it is after drugging Aoyama. Seemingly always having ulterior motives, being crazy, angered by the ruse with the audition, or some combo thereof, Asami maliciously tortures Aoyama...because...revenge? In the midst of the torture, Aoyama's son comes home and manages to kill Asami after an extremely short struggle. Roll credits. Sorry, Mr. Miike, I, and most fans and critics, can't take things at face value especially given all the other aspects of the story.

The all in Aoyama's head interpretation: Aoyama is experiencing a midlife crisis as he seeks another wife to love. You could explore all aspects of Aoyama's personality, but I think that merely complicates the matter. Once Aoyama becomes smitten with Asami, he is convinced she must be angelic and perfect. As their relationship progresses, and Aoyama lets his imagination run wild, he begins to imagine Asami as a lunatic and, eventually, a crazed killer. Much of the film's events are so exaggerated because Aoyama cannot cope with the realization that Asami is not as perfect as he'd hope. He claims he likes her drive yet is bothered by her childhood abuse, family issues, and aimless life. The film fully supports this theory in light of what Miike may claim. For example, how could Aoyama imagine the man in the sack yet it be real too? Factor in Aoyama's hallucinations, the guilt over banging his desperate secretary, the apparent jealousy of his son having a girlfriend, and the sense that he is betraying his wife's memory. The clues are all there. The editing also supports this theory. We are shown parts of Aoyama and Asami's conversations out of order as if to imply he wasn't really paying attention to the negative side of things; he was hearing only what he wanted. The scene of a creepy Asami by the phone can't possibly be real; factor that with the flashes back and forth with Aoyama's hesitation accompanied by the fear instilled in him by the friend who says there is something not right with Asami. With the background, subplot about a murder of one of Asami's former bosses, Aoyama is putting the pieces together in his mind and jumping to conclusions based on the doubt that he's making the right decision. This is why we conveniently meet the creepy stepfather with the busted feet and Asami wants to cut off Aoyama's feet; how can any of this not be imagined? It's like how any normal person suspects their significant other might be hiding secrets or something before making a commitment to trust that individual. Honestly, I could keep doing this all day, but I think you get the point. Others have written huge breakdowns of this story and how the scenes reflect Aoyama's hopes and fears when deciding to propose to Asami so quickly and for the uncertain reasons he has chosen to marry her. If anything, the wild speculation and interpretations are more interesting than the movie itself.

While I do prefer the subjective interpretation of the film's events over the straightforward presentation, there still isn't a lot going on here. I'm sure many will disagree, but I felt like the film is too slow and too long given everything is a buildup to some torture scenes. Granted, scenes like this no longer register with me the way they would to the general public, but should the rating be significantly raised for shock and awe? Obviously something in these depraved scenes has resonated with audiences and that makes this film memorable. However, if we take away that shock value, what is really left? Well, you would still have the fantastic acting. Like I said, this is definitely a good movie--no argument there--but I don't see the greatness level. Regardless of what I think, this is still considered an Asian horror legend and is pretty much required viewing. Finally, there appears to be a remake in the works...yeaaah...just don't.

Notable Moment: The eating of the puke scene. Though there are many, many disturbing moments throughout the film, this is probably the one that sticks with people the most.

Final Rating: 6/10