Manji (1964)
Genre: Drama
Duration: 91 minuten
Alternative titles: All Mixed Up / 卍
Country:
Japan
Directed by: Yasuzô Masumura
Stars: Ayako Wakao, Kyôko Kishida and Yûsuke Kawazu
IMDb score:
6,8 (1.352)
Releasedate: 25 July 1964
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Manji plot
Married woman Sonoko falls in love with a fellow student, Mitsuko, who is the daughter of a wealthy industrialist. Soon, Sonoko's husband, who is a police officer, suspects that something is going on between them. Meanwhile, Sonoko finds out that Mitsuko has a boyfriend.
Actors and actresses
Mitsuko Tokumitsu
Sonoko Kakiuchi
Kotaro Kakiuchi
Eijiro Watanuki
Principal
Novelist
Ume
Haru
Kiyo
Reviews & comments
starbright boy (moderator films)
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- 22736 messages
- 5350 votes
First I saw the fatalistic and nihilistic, but quite impressive Akai Tenshi, then the subdued new wave drama Kuchizuke, and now this theatrical and grotesque film about obsessive love. They are three very different films, but all three are quite captivating. This one has a somewhat unreal atmosphere due to the use of color. What was interesting about the film is that everyone is aware of the other's betrayal and intrigues from a certain point on, but there is no escaping the obsessions.
The script is by Kaneto Shino, by the way, and Manji appears to be Japanese for the swastika that is also on the cover. That thing has nothing to do with Nazis, but much more with the ancient Buddhist symbolism that the symbol also carries.
Not as extraordinary a cinematic experience as the other two films I saw by Masumara (two solid fours), but it was certainly captivating.
3.5*
Translated from Dutch · View original
BBarbie
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- 12893 messages
- 7675 votes
There is no shortage of intrigue in this psychological drama about a lesbian couple. One is married, the other engaged, which has significant repercussions for their relationship, especially since everyone involved (including the partners) seems to have their own agendas. Despite the occasional overacting, it delivers yet another captivating and, for its time, reasonably daring film by director Yasuzō Masumura. To date, I have seen four of his films. They all score above average.
I have gradually become a fan of the beautiful Ayako Wakao, but in this film she is somewhat overshadowed by Kyōko Kishida's performance. It is undeniably *her* film.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Movsin
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- 8464 messages
- 8505 votes
I found the willingness to die for each other all too fatalistic in an atmosphere where people do not shy away from glossing over the truth, or should I say, deceiving one another.
Rather bombastic and theatrical, with alternating psychological and emotional episodes.
A 3.5, borderline.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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