Perfect Blue (1997)


I am not a big anime fan so it should never come as a surprise that I am unaware of certain animated movies, particularly from Japan, that are influential on Western films.  Perfect Blue is one of those, and it seems that director Darren Aronofsky is a big fan, with references popping up in Requiem for a Dream and a good number of plot similarities to Black Swan.  For me, I went into it not knowing too much of what to expect and got an interesting take on the giallo as reimagined through Japanese eyes.

Mima Kirigoe (Junko Iwao) is a pop singer who decides to give up her music career to go into acting.  She is a bit unsure, but her manager Tadokoro (Shinpachi Tsuji) helps her get an expanded role in a television show called Double Bind.  Her mentor, Rumi (Rica Matsumoto) is not so sure of the move, particularly of the sleazier aspects of the business, but soon Mima appears up to the task.

Problem is Mima has attracted a stalker that, though at first willing to go to great lengths to protect her, has become enraged at her transition as well as her new sexualized image.  As the stress builds Mima starts to see her former pop-star self mocking her, and it is unclear if she has gone over the edge, as it appears she may be involved in several murders of those around her. 

I really liked the animation style in this, with Satoshi Kon doing an exceptional job of making the characters realistic.  I get so used to seeing the exaggerations in a lot of anime that it is nice to have a movie full of people that are more relatable, even if they are in crowds I wouldn't walk in.  I also like the realistic way Tokyo is presented.  Great pains were made to make this look like a live-action film rather than an animated one.  It was, of course, supposed to be live action, but some of the content proved a bit too controversial.

This is based on a book but Kon was given free reign to do what he wanted as long as Mima was still a pop star and a stalker was involved.  This meant he could get creative with time and perspective, which he does throughout.  The way the story unfolds reminds me of many of the classic Italian films, where a series of events that seem strange or supernatural boil down to a real killer and a major twist at the end.  This has all of that and somehow it all makes sense once it reaches its conclusion.

Perfect Blue (1997)
Time: 81 minutes
Starring: Junko Iwao, Rica Matsumoto, Shinpachi Tsuji
Director: Satoshi Kon



 

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