Kisaragi (2007)

A really funny movie starred by 5 outstanding actors including Oguri Shun. I can't help laughing through out the duration of the film.

Why? As the five characters slowly investigate among themselves the truth behind the death of their gravure idol during her 1 year memorial anniversary, they unfold each other's personal lives and connection with the dead idol. During this time, they are all cooped up in a small apartment formulating reasons as to what really happened before and during the time of their idol's death.

If you think this is a boring film, well watch the movie and think again. This isn't your average film full of talk, mystery and well… more talk. This is one of those films that would make you scratch your head in the beginning, then seat straight-look-forward-to-screen in the middle and finally say "So that's what happened" in the end.

Its very entertaining to watch not that their acting was over the top, it was simply perfect. Every character portrayed themselves so well. The way they analyzed each other, puzzled things together and draw a conclusion to each scenario... it was very smart and witty. There were flashbacks to give a better visual of the scenarios they come up with and that definitely helped in building up the story and make the unfolding of the mystery more fun. I give kudos to the writer of this movie who made everything interesting.

Cinematography wise, it wasn't much since the focus is more on each characters who are talking inside a small room and as for the music I wasn't able to remember it much but it did somehow help as a background to build up the mood of the film.

Recommending this to those who like watching films which are more on the conversation side with mystery and comic relief on the side lines. BTW, there's no other film that I could compare it with since I think… it is one of a kind.

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It started out a bit slow for me. But eventually, once one of the "fans" tells his doubts about Miki having committed suicide, the things began to change for good. Every little twist was unexpected. I love when each guy tells his alibi or what happened that night and how it was showed for us the audience. It had a very old-school mystery vibe. And whenever I was thinking "so this is the criminal", something else happened that made me change my mind.

It may be dull to watch a movie where the entire story happens inside a small, dark room, but Kisaragi proves the opposite. The script was very good, well paced, and I love the mystery. Not predictable at all. I was finding out the truth along the guys. The plot is the kind I love to read in books.

The actors were all good in their parts. Heck, another movie with Oguri Shun :S but his role was very different from the kind I saw so far: not cocky, not cool, just a fanboy happy to celebrate his favorite idol gravure's anniversary death.

It is funny because currently I am reading a book about idols, and almost everything they say in the movie about the girl's life is in the book...

Very recommended. Only 5 guys inside a room, trying to solve a mystery. But how the mystery is portrayed was spectacular XD

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