Cure

*Favorite Films List* I'm going to be thinking about Cure for a very long time. Never has a non-horror film terrified me in the ways that Cure did. Not even most horror films are this effective at creating a sense of fear. While there were many elements that formed this masterpiece, the cinematography is probably the most important element here. Typically when you think of films that are beautifully shot some of these films come to mind: Bladerunner, Barry Lyndon, Lawrence of Arabia, Seven Samurai, etc. I truly feel that the cinematography in Cure is some of the best I've ever seen and should be listed among the greats. The impact that some of the shots had on me were unlike anything I've ever experienced. Some are absolutely gorgeous, others sent chills down my spine. Even if you knew what was going to happen (I didn't) the shots would be just as effective as if you knew nothing. The long oners that are scattered throughout the film are meant to mesmerize you and it works perfectly. While watching the film I started to feel tired. Typically that only happens if I'm not enjoying what I'm watching but I was captivated. It occured to me that I was actually being lured in by the hypnotic shots that Kurosawa and Kikumura put together. The performances were also on another level. Hagiwara and Yakusho in particular were incredible. Hagiwara feels vulnerable but simultaneously unstoppable. He does an incredible job of manipulating your perception of him. You go from feeling sorry for him to wanting to avoid him at all costs. I saw someone comparing him to the ocean in Jaws, but he feels more like the shark to me. You're dreading the next moment he comes on screen because someone is likely going to die. Yakusho is a good representation of normal person. He feels believable even when he takes extreme measures. You can't blame him for anything he does or feels because you can certainly understand the mental toll that the events take on him. The sound design and editing are also incredible. Again, I got chills several times just due to the editing alone. After the scene where Takabe visits Mamiya's home, there are quick flashes that almost feel like a mistake at first, but you soon realize that it's a visual representation of Mamiya ingraining himself in Takabe's head. As far as the overall theme of the film, I can't think of it ever being presented in a way like this. Kurosawa wants us to question ourselves, our identity, and why we behave the way we do. Are people really being hypnotized or is a dormant behavior within them simply being awakened? I didn't expect to enjoy Cure much as I did. I can't wait to see more of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's work. Pulse has been recommend numerous times and I'm very excited to see it now.