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Released by: Impulse Pictures
Released on: July 9, 2013.
Director: Katsuhiko Fujii
Cast: Junko Asahina, Nami Misaki, Yuki Yoshizawa
Year: 1982
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The Movie:
The rather oddly titled Horny Working Girl: From 5 To 9 follows a beautiful cherub faced young woman named Chieko (Junko Asahina) who makes her way into the work force of early eighties era Japan when she takes a job at an office where she comes on board as an assistant manager. She soon learns that her boss (Junichiro Yamashita), who is married to Mayumi (Nami Misaki), likes to dip his pen in the company ink and has been boffing a few of the more nubile female employees behind back of his better half. Those he hasn't boffed, he's made inappropriate comments and propositions too. Soon enough, Chieko finds herself coerced into giving him what he wants and she's none too happy about it. In fact, neither is a secretary named Mari (Yuki Yoshizawa).
So ultimately it isn't long before Cheiko, Mari and even Mayumi decide that they've had enough of his shenanigans. But, he is the boss and all, and nobody wants to lose their job. So what to do, what to do…
We'll leave it at that, because what they come up with is ridiculous and best left unspoiled but let it suffice to say that 'payback is a bitch' and 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' are both popular sayings for good reason. This is played pretty much for laughs, it never gets as dark (with one exception) as some of the other Nikkatsu titles that have been released from Impulse so far, but thankfully it's a pretty effective sex comedy and proves to be both entertaining and genuinely funny. Granted, it's dated in a lot of ways, and one would like to hope that Japanese women have made plenty of headway in the workforce since this was made, but as the times they were a changing around the time this was made, maybe the sexist attitudes shown by pretty much all of the male characters in the movie weren't so much comedic stereotypes as they were realistic?
The gags come quickly and tend to be pretty crass, mostly revolving around sex organs and the like, but they never feel out of place. The movie's one rape scene is a bit out of place amongst all the comedy and it's played pretty seriously as Nami is roughed up and taken advantage of by the office's janitorial staff in the bathroom. As it doesn't wind up having a whole lot of impact on the plot you kind of get the impression it was just in there because the producers wanted some rough stuff to spice up the sex quotient. We also get some lesbianism and a bit of slap and tickle style play, but most of what transpires while characters are performing au natural is goofy, sexy fun.
Nicely shot and featuring admirable production values, Katsuhiko Fujii controls the pacing well and keeps things moving at a good clip. The score features a ridiculously catchy opening song that's used a few times throughout the movie and the cinematography is impressive, as the cinematography in the Nikkatsu Roman Porno films tended to be. A fun cast and impressive lead turn from Asahina ups the ante a bit as well and if you've enjoyed the comedic entries in Impulse's line so far, you'll very likely enjoy this one just as much.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Horny Working Girl: From 5 To 9 looks good in this 1.85.1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. Colors are handled well and look quite natural as do skin tones, of which there are loads on display. Black levels aren't quite inky deep but they're strong and detail is pretty good across the board. There are no issues with print damage to complain about and overall this is a clean, sharp, good looking picture.
The Japanese language Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono track is crisp and clean though occasionally just a tiny bit shrill. The levels are well balanced and there are no issues with hiss or distortion. The optional English subtitles that are provided are free of any typos and easy to read. This won't floor you but it sounds fine, there are no problems.
Extras on the disc are limited to a menu, chapter selection and a fun trailer for the feature. Inside the case, however, is an insert containing some bizarre original poster art for the feature and liner notes from film scholar/author Jasper Sharp that provide some details on the film and on the cast and crew involved in the production in addition to some substantial background information on the Horny Working Girl series that Nikkatsu created and its cultural and historical significance in terms of how it reflects aspects of Japanese culture from the era in which it was made.
The Final Word:
Impulse brings Horny Working Girl: From 5 To 9 to DVD with solid A/V and, as is their style, minimal extras. The movie itself is pretty enjoyable even with the strange tonal shifts that occur here and there, a screwy sex comedy bound to appeal to those with a taste for that uniquely Japanese bent that only Nikkatsu's wackier entries can offer.
