A film based on the true story of a serial killer, produced by label Sushi Typhoon and directed by cult indie filmmaker Shion Sono. It sounds exciting, yet, it’s also disappointing.
Cold Fish was released on UK DVD. This edition comes with an interview with journalist Jake Adelstein, who gives us many details about the story the film is based on. Fascinating, and interesting, the guy knows well this subject. It goes from who were the people involved in these crimes, to what are the flaws in the Japanese justice system. For example, you learn why there’s not many identified serial killers in Japan. These details are pure gold.
And that’s the problem. Because the film never explores these fascinating ideas. Despite this rich source material, director Shion Sono – who also co-wrote the script – is more interested to make a social commentary on the same old japanese themes; lack of communication, broken family, individual alienation, hidden desires… With the commentary serving as some kind of intellectual justification for violence and so on.
Everything about Cold Fish is excessive, too much. At some extent, it almost feels like Shion Sono is making a parody of himself, trying to direct a “Sono Film”. With people screaming their lines, classical pieces over-used, a little bit of violence to shock people, plus a touch of subversion with the old same comment on japanese society. It’s everything you could expect from the guy, with no subtlety. But after all, if repeating itself is okay, why bother exploring rarely seen ideas? Disappointing.
The poster is a tribute to Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dogs. Was Cold Fish intended to be a solid psychological thriller?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
“feels like Shion Sono is making a parody of himself, trying to direct a “Sono Film”
I see what you mean, still if you dig the Sono style it’s a pretty awesome movie.
I think you’ve over thought this. You’ve become too jaded. Is there really anything wrong with same-but-different?