Common Sense Media Review
Gruesome revenge fantasy isn't for kids.
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Audition
What's the Story?
Shaken by his wife's death, TV executive Shigeharu (Ryo Ishibashi) bonds with his young son. Together, they share meals, jokes -- even dating tips. It's one of these harmless teenage suggestions from his son that puts AUDITION's gears in motion. Shigeharu holds a taped live casting call for the most beautiful, educated women of Japan, but he's really searching for a new wife. Enter demure, beautiful Asami Yamazaki (Elhi Shiina), who is everything Shigeharu hoped for. He begins a cat and mouse game to land her affections. After a few dates, she agrees to marry him, but it's not a happy marriage. Angry at the lies he's told her, Asami drugs and brutally tortures Shigeharu, to educate him in the laws of pain. The ghost of a former boss surfaces -- a hideously deformed creature unable to move or speak. She has kept him trapped in a bag, cut off his feet and tongue, and fed him a bowl of her own vomit. The abused abuse others. The cycle continues, until the social order itself it is altered.
Is It Any Good?
As a morality tale on the power dynamic between men and women in society, Audition works. Filmmaker Takashi Miike uses a traditional outlook to shock and trick us. By accepting the rules, we expect Shigeharu to marry the woman of his dreams. But when he marries, the movie self-destructs. In effect, we disregard the fact that she, and countless other women in the film, have been deceived and treated like cattle. We still expect a happy ending -- and for that, we're punished severely.
Teens who have already heard about the film's genre switch may watch for thrills, but only a handful will actually be able to sit through the hideous, sickening torture sequences. Those who go in to the film blindly will not enjoy feeling tricked and penalized. This movie is definitely NOT for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different social traditions of other cultures, how to cope with abuse and loss, the effects our dreams can have on us, and finding productive ways of dealing with our emotions when we're hurt by others.
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 30, 2002
- On DVD or streaming : October 30, 2002
- Cast : Eihi Shiina , Ryo Ishibashi , Tetsu Sawaki
- Director : Takashi Miike
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s)
- Studios : American Cinematheque , Vitagraph Films
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 115 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence/torture and sexuality
- Last updated : March 14, 2020
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