Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985) Reviews

Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters (1985)
Member Rating:  
In Paul Schrader's unusual biopic, Ken Ogata stars as Yukio Mishima, perhaps the most celebrated Japanese novelist of the last five decades. The film begins with Mishima's youth, then moves forward in episodic fashion to his 1970 suicide, symbolically committed at a military site. Originally titled Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters, the film is neatly divided into a quartet of acts, and the screenplay does not flinch in its depiction of Mishima's hyperactive sex life. Among the many neat directorial touches is the decision to offer the narrative in black-and-white, while depicting scenes from Mishima's novels in vibrant color. Written off as self-indulgent by those impatient with Schrader's fragmentary technique, Mishima was produced in Japan by Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, an offshoot of Coppola's involvement with Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's Kagemusha. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Ken Ogata, Masayuki Shionoya, (more)
Director(s):
Paul Schrader
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Average Ratings

(7 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Diane H.

I liked the cover art, so I bought the sound track back in the 80s. Then I bought and read many of Mishima's works. I didn't read a bio, and I did not see the movie until late 2007. It wasn't what I expected. I would have prefered a normal, linear story, but the slightly surreal telling is kind of appealing. Don't expect it to hold your attention. I suspect DVD and the pause button were made for films like this, so you could drop it when your interest waned and restart when you felt like it again.

Yes   |   No


Joey D.

Please, please, please, do not watch unless you are familiar with Yukios work or life. With that being said, the film presented Mishima's work as well as anyone might suspect and the music was pretty groovy. If your educated on the subject, your in for a good time.

Yes   |   No


Todd H.

I came to this film as a man with Yukio Mishima at the very top of his list of favorite authors. My favorite book of all time is "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion" and I love the way it's presented in this very strange film. When you watch it, prepare yourself for a style of storytelling that requires more of your attention than is easily paid to a movie.

Yes   |   No


Stephen S.

An "art" film from the 1970s, with all that implies. . .pretty lame, but beautiful sets and the Glass music is wonderful. You would think a true story about a homosexual extreme right-winger who commits suicide would be riveting stuff. Nope. Film buffs should watch it, though, because Coppola and Lucas put money in the production, and it has a bit of a rep in film schools in the late 1970s. It's that Golden Pagoda folks.

Yes   |   No


Stephen M.

I was quite moved by the chapters. I would view a sequel without hesitation. The acting was superb. A real thought provoking movie.

Yes   |   No


Gerald B.

Unusual. I did really enjoy watching it. Not a good ending for young people to watch but very well done. Jerry B.

Yes   |   No


William T.

Very difficult to follow, totally boring, and I mean boring, and not worth your time. After my test of 25 to 30 minutes, I start to fast forward a few frames, hoping to find something redeeming, sorry folks, found nothing redeeming on this one! Don't waste your time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Diane H.

    I liked the cover art, so I bought the sound track back in the 80s. Then I bought and read many of Mishima's works. I didn't read a bio, and I did not see the movie until late 2007. It wasn't what I expected. I would have prefered a normal, linear story, but the slightly surreal telling is kind of appealing. Don't expect it to hold your attention. I suspect DVD and the pause button were made for films like this, so you could drop it when your interest waned and restart when you felt like it again.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Joey D.

    Please, please, please, do not watch unless you are familiar with Yukios work or life. With that being said, the film presented Mishima's work as well as anyone might suspect and the music was pretty groovy. If your educated on the subject, your in for a good time.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Todd H.

    I came to this film as a man with Yukio Mishima at the very top of his list of favorite authors. My favorite book of all time is "The Temple of the Golden Pavilion" and I love the way it's presented in this very strange film. When you watch it, prepare yourself for a style of storytelling that requires more of your attention than is easily paid to a movie.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 7 Reviews
       

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