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Released by: Third Window Films
Released on: 4/25/2011
Director: Tetsuya Nakashima
Cast: Takako Matsu, Masaki Okada, Yoshino Kimura, Mana Ashida, Kaoru Fujiwara
Year: 2010
The Movie:
Tetsuya Nakashima is probably best known on western shores for Kamikaze Girls but his latest effort is so far removed from the Lolita-pop bliss of that manga adaptation that there aren't really any apt comparisons to make between the two pictures aside from the fact that they're both really good movies.
Confessions revolves around Yuko Moriguchi (Takako Matsue), a school teacher who is devastated when her daughter is murdered by some of her own students. The judge is lenient with them because they are juveniles, but Yuko understandably feels that justice should be served and that her daughter's murder should not go unpunished. Rather than take up a gun and attack the problem vigilante style, however, she decides instead to use her position to look for and exploit weakness in the culprits so that she can slowly but surely pay them back in spades - but everything, as we all know, has it's consequence.
Going into any more detail than that in regards to the plot would be a big disservice to anyone who hasn't seen this beautifully twisted film. More a revenge movie than anything else, Nakashima is wise in how he lets his story unfold. By using 'confessional' footage to fill us in not just on the details of the case but on the traits of the different central characters who have a part to play here, we are fed bits and pieces that are essentially appetizers, they get us ready for the main course. As the film builds, and it does so incredibly well, the tension mounts and we're kept guessing not so much as to what is going to happen but as to how it's going to happen. We know very early on that Yuko intends to take the lives of the kids responsible for her daughter's death, there's no surprise there - but just how she does that is pretty messed up.
Paced very well and shot with an excellent eye for composition, Confessions looks very good from start to finish. The cold industrial feel of the school has a feeling of desolation that seems appropriate enough while the camera pulls contrast between the drab interiors and the natural physical warmth of its very human inhabitants. The use of music is also excellent, as Nakashima uses everything from standard instrumental tracks to poignant pop numbers from the likes of Radiohead to some more experimental stuff contributed by Boris. The techniques employed here really match the tone of the story well, while Takako Matsue delivers such a spot-on performance that we're able to simultaneously sympathize with her and condemn her actions as she transforms from a grieving mother to a cold instrument of vengeance.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Confessions looks pretty slick in this AVC encoded 1080p high definition widescreen transfer framed appropriately at 1.85.1 widescreen. This isn't the most colorful film ever made, in fact it's fairly grim looking for the most part, but Third Window's transfer handles this without any problems. Black levels are pretty strong, and consistently deep, while fine detail is good in both close up shots and medium shots as well. Texture looks nice, there are no issues with print damage or authoring quirks, and outside of some really minor edge enhancement, things look pretty strong here.
The Japanese language DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio mix, which comes with optional English subtitles, is nicely balanced and contains some impressive directional effects that are used well to heighten tension and keep you involved. Bass response is strong enough to work but it doesn't overpower things at all. The subtitles are clean, clear and easy to read and there are no obvious typos to note.
Third Window have put all of the supplemental material for this release on a second disc in the case, a standard definition DVD. Found on this disc are two featurettes, the first of which is Real Confession' (17:21) which is basically a series of cast and crew interviews that shed some light on the actors' respective characters and what the filmmakers were going for. Similar to that is Final Confessions (69:51), a lengthy featurette which interviews pretty much everyone involved with the film from director Tetsuya Nakashima to all of the primary cast members. Very thorough in its coverage of the movie, this featurette covers the film's score, the cinematography, the editing process, the casting process, locations, and pretty much anything else you could want to associate with the picture. It's well put together and quite interesting.
Rounding out the extras on the disc are a couple of TV spots, a trailer for the feature, and trailers for a few other Third Window DVD releases.
The Final Word:
Confessions is smart, taut and just really well made, a very clever thriller that pulls you in and keeps you guessing. Third Window's Blu-ray release is a good one, offering up the film in very good quality and with a pretty solid array of extra features as well.
Click on the images below for full size screen caps!
