The film revolves around two men, Mutoh and Ikegami, who are fierce enemies who feel nothing but hatred for one another. However, Ikegami unexpectedly falls in love with Mutoh’s daughter, aspiring actress Mitsuko. Mutoh wants to celebrate the release of his wife Shizue from prison by giving their daughter her debut, so he decides to produce his own movie specifically to that end. Soon, a movie buff named Koji is hired to direct after being mistaken for a filmmaker and an actual indie film director named Hirata is recruited to help. Complicating matters even further, Ikegami soon injects himself into the chaos of his hated rival’s production. Edit Translation
- English
- magyar / magyar nyelv
- dansk
- Norsk
- Native Title: 地獄でなぜ悪い
- Also Known As: Jigoku de Naze Warui
- Screenwriter & Director: Sono Sion
- Genres: Action, Comedy
Where to Watch Why Don't You Play In Hell?
Free (sub)
Cast & Credits
- Hasegawa Hiroki Main Role
- Hoshino GenHashimoto KojiMain Role
- Nikaido FumiMuto MitsukoMain Role
- Tsutsumi ShinichiIkegami JunMain Role
- Kunimura Jun Main Role
- Sakaguchi TakSasaki [Member of Fuck Bombers (Current)]Support Role
Reviews
If you're looking for entertainment at face value then Why Don't You Play in Hell is for you, compared with Sono's other psychological films like Himizu or epic, Love Exposure. WDPH is full of pleasure. It's an action-comedy guerrilla style, sometimes a teenage love story, sometimes a violent off-with-the-head shot or sometimes just...whatever. And that's totally okay. If it doesn't make sense, if it can't be explained, that's okay. WDPH is just that. It's a mish-mash of things that's suppose to be entertaining for everyone. Action, comedy, love story, friendship..yada, yada.
I especially love how all the sub-plots and story line just come in together and blend in towards the later part of the film. First, a yazuka story. Then, a rebellious young adult who meets a man that has loved her...for 10 year after seeing her in a commercial. Then an amateur-yet-passionate film crew that just wants to make the movie of the century. And all these story lines come in because of one thing: film. And here you are, watching a film too. Film-ception?
Everyone here is great. Angry, sad, crazy, all these emotions portrayed by the actors were great. Some of them I'm seeing the first time on screen. Everyone has such good chemistry, you can't really hate anyone...even with all the killing and blood. It's just so hilarious how Sono combines all the blood with comedy, all the killing and still make it feel so...light and heavy at the same time. The thing is, as you watch, you're always in for a surprise. You'll never know what to expect because of this mish-mash and unorthodox style. That's what's going to keep you hanging.
A slight comment on Fumi Nikaido. This is the third film that I've seen her in and yet again, she proves how much of a versatile actress (who got nominated for her performance here in the Asian Film Awards) she is. Heavy drama in Himizu, forbidden love in My Man and now a rebellious fighter. But she still keeps her signature acting that I totally love: that secrecy in her eyes that actually makes her scary (and very fun to watch).
Cinematography, sound and mere 35mm comparisons to digital is tackled and very much in sync with the overall film. If I can describe WDYPH, it's creatively entertaining. This is probably Sono's ode to Asian cinema and proves just how much amazing it can be.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?