Isthar

When everything is lost, at least girls got each other

**Short review: **This movie tries to be what [Farewell My Concubine](https://letterboxd.com/film/farewell-my-concubine/) was without risking what Farewell My Concubine risked. It tries too hard to be deep without actually taking the effort of meaningful writing, and attempts to convince that it is deep. It has so much potential and it's enjoyable, but doesn't actually develop what it promises. You'd think that for a 3h movie, they'd have time to do more than surface-level development. **Long review:** The reason why people like this is simple: it offers an unconventional theme among modern films, and pairs it with many interesting dynamics for the characters: For starters, we have the rivalry between the main protagonists, the bond they share from being raised together but also how they compete against each other, how they thrive to act on stage. Secondly, a blood vs natural talent dilemma. We have the mother's hatred for the adopted son rooted in traditionalist love that grows as he becomes successful. We are shown as well the impact of coming from a Yakuza family. And there's the theme of Kabuki being an art based on male actors playing women since tradition is rooted in sexism. Does the film develop any of these tropes well? No. Sometimes, we have to understand the character's actions with no backing whatsoever, and in other occasions the feelings of the characters are too on the nose (telling instead of showing). The writing of the rivarly between the two main characters is lazy, with some good moments scattered along the film making it feel detached. The emotional tension between them didn't hit at all for me. The mother's stance and dialogue are not consistent but repetitive. And then, is like they remembered mid-film that Kikuo comes from a Yakuza family and that should have an impact on his career or at least his state of mind. The theme of them being men playing women is "discussed" once and then never again. The writing of the female characters is horrible. Of course, the movie is about the two male leads, but that doesn't mean the women should have to have the personality of an unseasoned chicken. They exist solely for the two men, being lovers, mothers, or daughters. All they express is being worried about the men, or cute for the men. They are dragged down the hell the protagonists get involved in, ignored in favour of their dedication to Kabuki... yet that is not developed further than them frowning in the background. About the visuals, i think these are the highlight of the film, but im only talking about the Kabuki performances. Still, there could be some improvements. I didn't find the film outstandingly beautiful. We have too many shots of the audience mid performance, and many close ups. Kabuki plays aside, the visuals are just reg, neutral lighting that evokes little to no emotion. The dialogue is okayish. The actors play their part well. But the "important" lines that are meant to be deep stand out from the overall tone, making them feel disconnected. Also, the gangrene arc came out of nowhere?? Is like they didn't know what else to add to make it tragic. Same vibe as a character randomly getting hit by a bus. I have to say i haven't read the original source. I'm only critizing the movie. Maybe it fills the gaps up, and gives actual depth to the characters and not just pretend one.

I love how we dont see the master's face nor a close up in the whole movie.