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Released by: Impulse Pictures
Released on: August 18th, 2015.
Director: Koretsugu Kurahara
Cast: Erina Miyai, Yuri Yamashina, Eimei Esumi
Year: 1977
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The Movie:
Sexual Assault At A Hotel (full title Rape Me: Sexual Assault At A Hotel, though Impulse have understandably abbreviated it for the North American market) tells the sordid tale of a pretty young woman named Ryoko (Yuri Yamashina). She's a university student and on the shy, quiet side content to hide her foxiness behind her conservative clothes and big, nerdy glasses. When she shows up off campus to reunite with her friend Rumiko (Erina Miyai) we learn that the two of them once carried on behind closed doors - something that they're keen to do again now that they've hooked up again.
At first Ryoko doesn't want to get into that whole girl on girl thing but soon enough, after an unusually lengthy conversation about whether or not she's actually ever had a man, she can't quite resist what Rumiko can offer her. As the story evolves, Rumiko sort of takes Ryoko under her wing but things soon start to get a little out of hand. It starts with a scene where she's stuck in the bathroom, another couple going at it on the other side of the door, and ends with a booze and drug fueled night of debauchery with a man who, as the title implies, sexually assaults the girls at a hotel. Where the film takes some interesting twists and turns, however, is in how it slowly reveals who this man is and why his connection to their past might be.
This one takes a little while to hit its stride but the payoff is worth it. There aren't a lot of movies out there that feature women doing what they sometimes do when no one is around using an Asahi bottle in place of, well, you can figure that out but this movie has that - and that's something to see because the label is actually turned around to face the camera for maximum product placement impact! On top of that, once the actual assault in the hotel begins the movie shifts from a somewhat playful drama to something else entirely. It's a rough scene, surprisingly violent and filmed with disturbing realism, and from there the movie shifts gears entirely. We don't want to spoil the ending here but it's a doozy and one that you're probably not going to see coming.
Yuri Yamashina does a nice job as the lead actress here. She's plenty convincing as the character starting to come out of her shell and she not only plays the part well but she looks it too. Erina Miyai is just as good as a temptress of sorts, the more 'experienced' of the two and a woman who has no qualms about simply taking what she wants when she wants it. They make an interesting team and as the story unfolds, their performances remain believable even when things start to get a bit crazy towards the finish.
The movie is shot well and it features some impressive cinematography that captures the action of all kinds quite effectively. Add to this a pretty decent score, one that highlights the tension and eroticism inherent in the production, and this turns out to be a pretty decent watch. If it doesn't climb to the heights of insanity as some of the other, more notorious releases in this line so far can hit, there are at least moments where it comes pretty close.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Impulse offers up the movie on DVD in a 2.35.1 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 though it should be noted that a few scenes were shot with some softness in mind and that comes through in the transfer (as it should).
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 trailer for the feature. Inside the case, however, is an insert containing some original poster art for the feature and liner notes from film scholar/author Jasper Sharp that offer up some insight into the titling of the film as well as some background info on the cast and crew.
The Final Word:
You'll never look at an Asahi beer bottle the same way again. Impulse Pictures' DVD release of Sexual Assault In A Hotel is a decent entry in their Nikkatsu line. The transfer is good and the liners are interesting as they always are. The movie is a strange mix of trashy sexploitation and oddball character development but if you've been enjoying the line so far, odds are pretty good you'll dig this one too.
