(1999)
Directed by Takashi Miike
Starring Ryô Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Tetsu Sawaki, Jun Kunimura, Renji Ishibashi, Miyuki Matsuda

I can vividly remember the first time I watched this film when it first came out, thinking it was moving kind of slow in the beginning. I mean, this was a horror film, right? All we’re seeing is this guy going through a lot of trouble to meet a future wife, which seemed kind of creepy when you think about it. But then we start to see some cracks in the story, meaning it isn’t going the way it seemed like. And then comes the infamous third act. Holy shit.

That is the real beauty of this film. It sets you up thinking you’re watching something completely different than what you’re going to get by the end. Ryô Ishibashi plays Shigeharu, a widower who after seven years, is urged by his son to start dating and maybe looking for a new wife. After a friend who is a TV producer, tells him he can set up “auditions” for young women for a show, while Ryô can sort of interview them to see if they are a potential candidate for a wife. While going through the applications, he notices a young woman, much younger than him, but is suddenly attracted to, and even more so after reading her bio. She seems to be a woman of fortitude and strong will. Little does he know just how correct those assumptions will be.

Eihi Shiina plays the young Asami, who seems very shy at first, but so grateful that Ryô would have even noticed her, let alone talk to her, and take her out to dinner. This makes Ryô fall for her even more. Even when his producer friend tries to tell him something seems fishy, as when he tries to check out some of her background, or stories that she had mentioned, and find they could be a complete lie. But Ryô is too far gone at that point. Once he realizes it, it is too late. Far too late.

The ending of the film is a cringeworthy testament for the viewer. This isn’t something over-the-top graphic with blood and guts glory, so don’t think it’s that. But what we do see, and even worse, the look of excitement and sheer joy on Asami’s face while she is doing her “work” makes it truly disturbing and haunting. It is one that will stay with you for quite some time. That shows just how powerful of a story is played out here.

The new 4K disc from Arrow looks amazing, not to mention a wide variety of extras. There are two different commentaries, one of them with director Takashi Miike and screenwriter Daisuke Tengan, which is Japanese but with subtitles. The second one is from Tom Mes, author of Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike. Through both of them, you’ll learn more about the film than you’d expect, both in behind-the-scenes, and just about the director in general. Arrow has always done a splendid job in bringing in the extras, which allow the viewer to learn so much more about the making of the film as well as those involved. This release is no different.

There are plenty of interviews, both old and new, with the cast, such a brand new one with actor Ryô Ishibashi, as well as archived ones with director Miike, Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Renji Ishibashi, and Ren Osugi. Author Alexandra Heller-Nicholas gives us a short audio essay called Deeper Deeper into Audition, which while short, is pretty interesting. There is also a short featurette called Damaged Romance, which is an appreciation of the film. This might not be a film that you bust out every other weekend, but it is one that I feel never loses its power and effectiveness. Incredibly well acted, with a story is that is not only sad and tragic but terrifying as well.