Movie Review: Taboo

Okay, I give up. I'm moving to Asia, I'm thinking.

Combine these last two movies (Fleeing By Night and this one, Taboo) and what my research suggests, I can think it might be  a better place for people of my persuasion.

This latest movie, Taboo, plays directly into that. It is a gbl film that isn't afraid of itself and doesn't reduce itself by having stereotypes or swishes for a less sophisticated audience. In it, a young, handsome man and excellent swordsman joins a local militia in support of the shogunate. He is incredibly beautiful in comparison to his more hardcore brethren in the army. He begins an affair with another soldier and soon the men begin to argue who shall have a date with him. The jealousy runs unabated and becomes a concern for the commanders.

Where the movie works is in that the homosexuality is treated as a part of life. Texts I have read (most notably Male Colours by Gary Leupp, Comrade Loves of the Samurai by Ihara Saikaku, and the Love of the Samurai by Tsuneo Watanbe and Jun'ichi Iwata) show, while not as prevalent as in Greek culture, homosexuality was accepted as a normal part of everyday life. It was even encouraged, (as it is slightly in this movie), for a man may wish to protect his lover moreso then an average compatriot. Even in the book and miniseries Shogun, when the main character becomes stranded in Japan, they offer him women and he refuses, so they offer him a man. He becomes furious and the Japanese look on confused.

It's as if the Japanese had never see homosexuality as a bad thing--not until they came in contact with the gaijin.

Asian movie making, aside from martial arts films, I've noticed have a completely different feel then European and American films. It seems, at least to me, that American films really emphasize plot; European films really emphasize character. For example, in a movie like Pulp Fiction or Citizen Kane, the movie toys with the storyline, bouncing about itself in flashbacks and sudden changes in direction. European movies take their time to let an individual grown before our eyes. Life is Beautiful has the narrator gradually understand the sacrifices his father is making, and truly, it becomes a beautiful, character driven work.

Then there are Asian films. I'm beginning to notice a sense of the ascetic. It's as if the image itself is what is important. The main protagonist in this movie, Kano, is always shot in profile to highlight his smoldering looks. The grounds are manicured. It's as if the wind blows on the director's command. There's an inherent beauty and a nice change from the heavy pacing and hurried attitudes we see here in America. This movie is no different.

Now, yes, I'm fully aware of my bias here. You've seen me mention my books above; you should already know my love for martial arts. So it really should be no surprise that I liked this movie. Is there martial arts? A little and it is used very well. Kano is shown as being an incredibly adept fighter. But when asked to fight his lover, his skill falters, and the commanders see. What a way to use fighting as part of a story. The fighting does, however, peter out by the end of the film.

I really do recommend this film, if it is something that remotely interests you. It was a sleeper/surprise and well constructed.