ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Pacionsbo Absolutely Fantastic

Jakoba True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Leofwine_draca I checked this film out because I discovered it was written by one of Japan's most controversial writers, Ryu Murakami, who wrote the novel that Takashi Miike's AUDITION was based on. Murakami not only wrote the book of TOKYO DECADENCE, but he also adapted it for the screen and directed this adaptation to boot.Unfortunately, this turns out to be a near unwatchable bore, a film I could barely stand to sit through thanks to the subject matter. TOKYO DECADENCE explores the world of S&M and in particular the life of a submissive prostitute who's treated cruelly by her clients. Sadly, the experiences she undergoes sees her gradually losing her mind, building to a narrative climax of sorts.95% of this film is made up of near-pornographic fetish scenes of women being forced to undergo weird and humiliating sexual experiences. The acting is non-existent and the characterisation barely there; instead, Murakami seems to enjoy just wallowing in the sleaze and the degradation of women. Not my cup of tea at all, I'm afraid; a few atmospheric shots of the Tokyo skyline and the occasional scene of plotting fail to make this anywhere close to becoming a 'proper' film.

Falconeer The story of Ai, a beautiful and delicate young woman who is looking for something real, or someone to rescue her from a world of dark sexuality and drugs. At the age of 22, Ai comes to the conclusion that she is completely devoid of any real talent or skill. Even though she is a quiet and shy person, she finds herself working in the sometimes brutal Tokyo sex industry, as an 'escort' for rich and decadent clients. She rarely speaks, but her facial expressions show the terror and revulsion, and lack of understanding of the bizarre things that are asked of her. 'Tokyo Decadence' is filmed in a lush and colorful style, utilizing garish colors and costumes to emphasize the bizarre and sordid world that this girl is living in. Somehow, despite being exposed to every conceivable perversion, Ai retains a kind of childlike innocence that is ultimately heartbreaking to behold. For she does eventually break under the strain, and it is what makes this film so much more than erotica. I watched this film, (the 112 minute version) recently, after not seeing it for many years. I did not remember that drug use played such a big part in the story. Cocaine, crack, heroin, Ecstasy. Many people here seem to be lost somehow, escorts and clients as well, in the steel-like metropolis of Tokyo. Ai's world is so artificial, and very intimidating; everyone around her seems to have so much money and power, and such an understanding and acceptance of any sexual practice. The film is dark and explicit from the first frame, but takes a decidedly darker turn with the introduction of a jaded and fascinating young dominatrix named 'Mistress Saki'. Following a bizarre session with a man into being humiliated, Saki invites Ai to her lavish apartment, where she repeatedly shoots heroin and shares freebase cocaine with the bewildered Ai. At first this woman seems happy and comfortable with her wealth and profession, but when you see her dissolve into a maniacal junkie, (she shoots up 3 or 4 times in the space of an evening), it is quite tragic. She speaks of finding another world, and a better life. She advises her protégé to seek out the man that she still loves, who stopped seeing her without warning. Ai does this, but makes the mortal mistake of taking a hit of Ecstasy before going to him. By the time she gets to his house, she has dissolved into a stumbling wreck, and her hopes of reuniting with her man are lost forever. 'Tokyo Decadence' is a film of great beauty and power. The sex is explicit but is never sexually stimulating, only because every encounter is mingled with so much pain. If you can relate to this lost girl, than the film will have an impact stronger than you might expect.

Bishonen A shimmering brightness infuses "Tokyo Decadence". The neon-blasted streets, the eerie, artificial glow of offices and hotel rooms, even the translucent glow of daylight insinuates under the skin of the film. The antiheroine of the film passes through a sexual Seven-Circles-of-Hell in Tokyo, used and battered by clients, gangsters and even friends who ply her with drugs and subversive sex. None of the sexuality is erotic, but it's also not presented as obscene or tragic. The spare, minimal approach to the dialogue heightens the tension and sense of dislocation. The film presents sex as a matter-of-fact commodity, flesh as spiritual bargaining tool in return for a temporary escape from alienation and fear. It's an intriguing film, difficult to watch but rich in visual beauty and its subtextual dimensions are quite rewarding. The film fetishizes everything to the point of abstraction. The city of Tokyo becomes a gleaming morass of lights, skyscrapers and soullessness. A brutal and delicate work of art.

BookWorm-10 A call girl who works for the S&M service went through 6 sessions of bizarre sexual adventure. She was abused physically and mentally by the clients. I think this movie is great because it gives you a view of Japanese sexual culture in the 90's. Overworked men seek excitment in perverted sexual endeavors. Women's status in a society can be seen through the degrading sexual practice. A great film for adults. However, if you are looking for sex go watch "In the realm of senses".