#big bang love

I picked up “Big Bang Love, Juvenile A” (2006) two disc set directed by Takashi Miike the other day. It’s been the first movie to really move me in a while. Frequently saying inside my head, “holy shit” and “this is so fucked up” but that’s not due to anything overtly explicit or graphic in the film, Miike is just a master of suggestion. All it takes is the proper context and a shot of a running shower head to take you out of your comfort zone. Expect a lot of that plus so much more from this one; a film about two prisoners who either coincidentally or by destiny are locked up on the same day for the same crime. As their mysterious backgrounds unfold, so does a classic game of clue when a murder causes an eruption of instability to arise before a small cast. This movie is Miike to the core.

The film uses some very surreal imagery, not unlike something out of The Cabinet of Dr Caligary. Desolate, blood red backgrounds and an intense, almost tribal dance scene starts the movie off for us. Later on, ancient pyramids churn your imagination as the plot cuts to and from different points in time; it even repeats scenes under changing context and that can be disorienting if you aren’t paying attention. The set pieces are very well done with shots in claustrophobic hallways, dimly lit prison cells, and a super creepy and ambiguous ‘laundry room’. Also, the use of green screen enhance the bizarre and ever-moody nature of Big Bang Love. Couple all of this with the eerie, industrial-style soundtrack and you get a very cool presentation.  

Thematically rich, one of the more easily definable issues dealt with is homosexuality and same-sex romance. There are no sex scenes per se; it’s all somewhat subtle. I felt it added so much to the tension and made for a really unique story. The use of the 'butterfly effect’ concept grants a lot of possibilities in the reasoning behind each character’s actions. It forces you to connect the dots while leaving enough room to second guess yourself. It also deals with themes of destiny, fate, existentialism, and violence. This is definitely a Miike movie and it’s one that does not hold your hand for a second. Nothing is certain, everything is up for speculation… which is my main warning to casual movie watchers: have your thinking cap ready. 

The two disc set from AnimEigo comes with everything you’d expect on the actual movie disc as well as an almost 'criterionic’ second disc with special features. There’s about an hour and a half of behinds the scenes footage and an interview with Takashi Miike, plus an essay from Tom Mes who wrote two books on Miike: “Agitator” and “Re-Agitator.” Also on there are production notes and trailers. Definitely recommend finding this version of the dvd.

Tense and moody, keeping it’s feet on the ground but also so dreamlike that it might be on an entirely different planet. However, there are some brief but well done fight scenes to snap you back to the real world. Big Bang Love is lot to chew on for a run time merely 83 minutes long. It moves at a perfect pace allowing it to be cerebral but not to the point of frustration or boredom. It’s disturbing but not graphic, bloody but not gory, dramatic but not sappy… It’s surreal and yet you can relate. The film demands sympathy and is on it’s knees, begging for understanding. Although if you don’t give it a certain amount of attention it will move on without you with disregard for the fact that you’re confused. With a little consideration you will undoubtedly find a tragic love story in the thick of a murder mystery, trapping you in it’s dark, atmospheric corridors. Lots of subplot here too; good for multiple viewings. Also, I forgot to mention there is a J-horror style ghost that appears once or twice in the film. Awesome. Can’t say enough good things about Big Bang Love, Juvenile A!