Rampo

This was a wonderful movie, but a bit slow in parts. The beginning tricks you to believe that its a normal movie yet the second half picks up and captivates you till the credits roll.

In all honesty I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone expecting a lot of linear plot action. This movie is for your imagination and that is half the beauty of it. I liked this movie but i recommend watching it with a friend so you have someone to discuss it with when its over, as it can be very confusing in many (if not all) parts.

I give this movie an 8, although it could have been better. Watch it and see for yourself what I mean...

One of the most thought-provoking, elegant, and creative films ever made. Those who fail to come to grips with its complexity will be disillusioned by it, and they will be tempted to dismiss it as dense and pretentious. I urge them to view it again and dig deeper. If they persevere, they will find an exquisite film, rich in meaning and subtle in temper. A fantastical tale that speaks directly to man's need for self-expression in a world grown callous and intolerant. This is a deeply satisfying film - a psychological mystery that provides greater riches each time it is viewed. The soundtrack is gloriously evocative and perfectly suited to the film.

The plot centers around a Nagamochi, which is a Japanese treasure chest. A woman goes shopping while her husband, who has to stay at home because he is sick, plays hide-and-go seek with the children. He hides in the Nagamochi. The children cannot find him and finally give up. When the wife comes home, she discovers to her horror that her husband has died of suffocation in the nagamochi.

This, however, is just the plot for a novel being written by a famous writer. Just before his novel is about to be published, it is banned by the government. Since it cannot be published, he burns his work.

The next day he reads the newspaper and discovers that an incident just like that which is described in his novel has really happened. He goes to find the woman and discovers that she has the same name as the character in his novel. This must be a coincidence because he has burned his work and nobody else had ever read it.

He cannot leave this poor woman abandoned, so he goes back and writes again. As he writes page after page, the events he describes in his book happen in real life.

The movie is slow moving and surrealistic. It seems to be a dream within a dream. This will never make it on prime time, but is is a great movie with high art.

Sam Sloan

Excellent film!

THe mystery of Rampo is about the author, Edogawa Rampo, Japans most famous mystery writier. In the movie, Rampo writes a novel which is censored about a woman who kills her husband. But later, Rampo reads in the paper that his character has come to life! What's more, he must now write a conclusion to the woman he has created, while trying not to fall in love with her. A stunningly brilliant movie, with wonderful visual effects, a film that is great even without words! A definate must see!

"The Mystery of Rampo" with its lush colors, mysterious and sensual (Michiko Hada is simply captivating) storyline, and dream-like sequences is the most beautiful film I've seen in the last 10 years. Every scene in this film could be framed and sold as an art poster. I don't want to give the impression that this movie is simply another demonstration of "form over substance," there is a story to tell here, a strange one worthy of Rampo ("the Japanese Edgar Allen Poe") himself, but what really makes this film stand out is the way it unfolds: the direction and cinematography are innovative. There may be many who fault this movie on its really weird/kinky/convoluted plot -- but this is one film I could watch over and over again.