First of all, I would like to say something to the viewers of all non- hollywood, unconventional films: Stop analyzing the director's intentions and the films ultimate meaning based on your own intellectual and artistic limitations. If you do not have the ability or discipline to look beneath the surface of a film to find out what the director really wanted to communicate, then please admit this instead of dismissing the film as "pointless," "boring," "stupid," or, often in the case of the brilliant Miike, "Just out to shock." The Guinea Pig series originated in japan. That culture, if any, knows how to make a film with no goal other than to turn stomachs and induce nightmares. Five minutes into the film, it becomes clear to the unbiased and aesthetically open minded individual that this is not some horror movie just intended to "gross out" a bunch of popcorn eating, quip-spewing, pop-culture worshipping hipsters and morons. The film has some very poignant things to say regarding the nature of family and love, the utility of morality and the beauty of life in general, amidst the rampant sickness and decay. (Possible Spoilers) Visitor Q concerns a dysfunctional Japanese family. The outside world has infiltrated their happy home, and has torn the relationships of each member assunder. The father is a fautuous, failed reporter, so obssessed with his reputation and career that he is indifferent to the suffering of his family, exploiting it where possible to achieve the success he desires. I believe this man to be a living metaphor for the workaholic, career-minded salarymen and Japan, the USA and, in reality, everywhere. His wife numbs herself to the neglect and infidelity of her husband, the physical abuse of her son and the heartbreak she suffers because of her runaway daughter, with television and heroin. Her son, bullied at school and in the neighborhood, takes out his aggression on the woman who fails to protect him (his mother) the only thing weaker than himself. His runaway sister works as a prostitute, and even sleeps with her father for the money (her father who is exploiting her homelessness and prostitution for a news story). This family seems hopeless, until a mysterious visitor appears to show them all their inner strengths and desires. he helps them, silently, calmly and even indifferently, to combat what stands in the way of their fulfillment, and ends up uniting the modern Japanese Clan in love and happiness once again.
While this subject matter is handled in a comic and absurd way to better convey that which is represents and that which it is trying to communicate, the film is, nevertheless, equally disturbing and touching, sickening and sweet. It explores the themes of bullying, cyclical violence and the (potential) beauty of violence and sadism rampant in Koroshiya 1, the need for connection in a cold world explored in Odishon and the meaninglessness of morality in contrast to the necessity of happiness explored in...Nothing I have previously or hitherto encountered (except, perhaps, for Lynch's Eraserhead). The film is not realistic, but, then again, art is not reality. It is a representation. If you cannot handle this, please don't see it and base your derision on its lack of realism or familiarity.
Don't even waste your time unless you are willing to be overwhelmed and challenged. This is not "entertainment," though it is, for the right people, entertaining. Please see this film if you are prepared for blood, tears, vomit, necrophilia, coprophilia, murder, incest, microphone sodomy, excessive lactation... and one of the most beautiful film experiences ever.
While this subject matter is handled in a comic and absurd way to better convey that which is represents and that which it is trying to communicate, the film is, nevertheless, equally disturbing and touching, sickening and sweet. It explores the themes of bullying, cyclical violence and the (potential) beauty of violence and sadism rampant in Koroshiya 1, the need for connection in a cold world explored in Odishon and the meaninglessness of morality in contrast to the necessity of happiness explored in...Nothing I have previously or hitherto encountered (except, perhaps, for Lynch's Eraserhead). The film is not realistic, but, then again, art is not reality. It is a representation. If you cannot handle this, please don't see it and base your derision on its lack of realism or familiarity.
Don't even waste your time unless you are willing to be overwhelmed and challenged. This is not "entertainment," though it is, for the right people, entertaining. Please see this film if you are prepared for blood, tears, vomit, necrophilia, coprophilia, murder, incest, microphone sodomy, excessive lactation... and one of the most beautiful film experiences ever.