FirstWitch
A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.
Erica Derrick
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Fatma Suarez
The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful
Maz Murdoch (asda-man)
2LDK is one of two films from the duel battle. I didn't even know about all this duel stuff until I actually looked on Amazon for 2LDK and found that it came with another Japanese film called Aragami that I'd never heard of. Nevertheless I bought it because it was cheaper as two pack even though I wasn't that interested in Aragami. Well I watched them both and I have to say that 2LDK wins the duel hands down! The idea is very appealing, two directors making a film in one week, using two main actors and only one set. Yet despite its constraints it still remains devilishly more entertaining than most Hollywood hokum that exists out there. It's a rare gem that more people most definitely need to see.2LDK only lasts 1hr 10mins which is roughly the same length as REC and Inside. However, like those horror masterpieces it relies especially on quality rather than quantity. I was pretty much hooked from the moment it started and we're introduced to these two pretentious actresses who secretly hate each other. 2LDK is very funny in its opening moments with the actresses acting to each other, acting like they like each other, when inside they can't stand each other's guts. It's (without trying to sound too sexist) is what we imagine all women to be like, a little bit bitchy, but these two are as bitchy as it gets!The film does well making us care about these characters even though they aren't particularly likable. It's difficult to pick a side when they're both knocking each other senseless, but I also think that that's kind of the point here. 2LDK sizzles itself with terrific tension in the first half hour, where the girls begin to speak their minds, showing off their weaknesses as characters. When the fight finally begins, it hits you like a train! It begins with a few light slaps and escalates into complete mayhem. The over-the-top nature of the fight is actually very humorous at times and suitably brutal at other moments.It's the ultimate cat fight and reminiscent of the fight between the Bride and Elle Driver in Kill Bill Vol.2 only it is the main focus of the film. It's fantastically entertaining and very innovative, with the girls resorting to using everyday household items as weapons of murder. I can honestly say that I've never seen a toilet lid used as a weapon before! I also liked how the characters were actually quite deep, with each of them clearly having a difficult past, making you care about the fight because of the two-dimensional characters involved in it. The directing is also way above par. The setting is never boring thanks to the inventive camera angles and energetic directing. There's some great controlled shaky cam moments that really capture the rage of the fight!2LDK is pure entertainment and is the type of fun film you can watch a lot of times and never get bored. It's incredibly funny in some places and the ending was near-perfect with some painful irony that actually adds a lovely dark comic edge to finish on. I also loved the irony of how the two women were failed actresses, but their actions in one night are enough to make an incredibly entertaining film. 2LDK should be a cult classic, and loads more people should be seeking it out. It's innovative and something completely different to what we're used to. I believe an American remake is on the way, which should hopefully get more people watching this little gem!
dwpollar
1st watched 7/11/2006, 7 out of 10(Dir-Yukihiko Tsutsumi): Creepy, yet entertaining chicks taking jealousy to the extreme flick. What this movie is, is a no-holds barred representation of what would happen if two women were filled with jealousy and hatred towards one another and had no conscience whatsoever to keep them from going to extreme measures to put the other away permanently. It starts off slowly as the characters are introduced 1 by 1 after returning home from their respective acting auditions for the same role for an upcoming coveted movie. They share an apartment that consists of 2 Bedrooms, A living room, A dining room and a kitchen; thus the title, 2LDK. We're initially tricked into thinking that the horror aspect of the movie is going to come from outside sources instead of from within. We are then shown thru the character's thoughts that anger is heating up quickly and builds to an overflowing point that never lets go until the end of the movie. At times, the extreme violence tends to pull you away from the screen but the director(Yukihiko Tsutsumi) then promptly grabs you back in as if he knows how you're going to react. This Japanese movie goes places deep within the hearts of characters that Hollywood only barely scratches at the surface. Many times in American movies it's turned into a blood-and-guts fest only without any probing into the characters. This movie is much more than that and for this reason it's a pleasurable(kind of) viewing experience if you can last thru to the very end, despite the graphic violence.
Joe
I caught this at a double bill showing with another film, and truthfully watching this film is amongst the best joys I've had for a long while. Film centres round two ambitious girls one night in their shared flat who are aiming for the same sole role in a film. The girls are like chalk and cheese together, yet they appear to grudgingly tolerate each other at first, although each dislikes the other intensely and try to tease and annoy the other subtly. But as the tension gets cranked and the stress levels rise, the Chinese wall between them comes down and the rivalry becomes physical.The action comes thick and fast in this not overly long film, but the acting is wonderful from the two girls, and the dialogue is sharp. Frighteningly, it is as real as life itself and will remind many (including myself!) of what it is truly like living with others (its not like "Friends"). This film is like a proverbial brick being thrown at your head, but it is fun, like a "Tom and Jerry" movie with humans in many ways.Compared to many films coming from the Asian extreme range, this is a little dilute in comparison, so if you are curious about them, yet don't think you can stomach the stronger themed films, then this is a great entry point. Wicked fun, yet violent at times, but you will certainly be entertained. A cool night out! No classic, but very worthy of attention, and I will definitely be looking out for the directors future work as it comes out.
BigHardcoreRed
For some reason I was led to believe this was to be a comedy. Upon further research after seeing the movie, I could not find any evidence that it is a comedy, but I'm sure I got that idea from somewhere. Maybe it's considered a dark comedy, considering I don't usually find them funny, but not necessarily bad. Another though was maybe I just did not get the Japanese comedy. I honestly thought this was a drama with a tiny bit of horror on the side.Anyhow, 2LDK starts off with sort of a slow burn effect, meaning it took some time to establish a feud between the two actresses, who happen to be roommates for the night and both going for the same part in a movie called Yakuza Wives. Every little thing annoys the other, such as slurping their soup and borrowing shampoo without asking, which continuously gains intensity through every scene.When the "fight to the death" finally happens, it is extremely outrageous and over the top. Everything is used from chainsaws, ice picks, toilet bowl parts, bathtubs along with electric appliances, etc. The end could be considered somewhat comedic, although predictable. Not many movies aren't predictable anymore.The movie was not bad. In fact, I'd recommend it if you have nothing to do. Plus, I liked how the entire movie only had the two women in it. As stated earlier, I just misunderstood what I was about to see. After reading up on it and realized the "contest" between the two directors, it has stirred my curiosity to see the other movie,which I believe is called Aragami. Very interesting. 6/10
