Product Details

• Actors: Miyoko Shôji, Mami Koyama, Fumiko Orikasa, Shôzô Îzuka, Shouko Tsuda
• Format: Animated, Color, Dolby, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Language: Japanese
• Subtitles: English, French
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Dreamworks Video
• VHS Release Date: October 28, 2003
• Run Time: 87 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (99 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000AZT19
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,029 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The second film by director Satoshi Kon and screenwriter Sadayuki Murai recalls Perfect Blue, but Millennium Actress is a more complex, subtle, and sophisticated work that evokes the history of Japanese cinema. After nearly 30 years of living in strict seclusion, the aged film star Chioyoko Fujiwara grants an interview to journalist Genya Tachibana. As their conversation begins, Kan intercuts scenes from Chioyoko's films with her memories of pursuing the mysterious artist she met as a young girl. Accompanied by his blasé cameraman, Tashibana finds himself within Chioyoko's memories and films, alternately observing and aiding the woman he adores. Kon's skillful direction and subtle use of color strengthen the intriguing story: Chioyoko's memories are rendered in shades of gray, with hints of muted color highlighting the overall composition. American viewers will find their appreciation of this shimmering, spiral narrative deepens with repeated viewings. (Rated PG: violence, mature themes) --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 75 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Touching Love Story, November 2, 2003

By 

flyingaho "flyingaho" (Brookline, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Millennium Actress (DVD)

Millennium Actress is one of the most touching Animes I have watched in a very long time. As another reviewer had hinted, this anime can be depressing. However, it is depressing in a very good, Saving Private Ryan sort of way. I would not be surprised if some people actually shed a few tears while watching this, I was pretty close to just doing that.

When I first saw this DVD at the video rental store I figured it would be like Perfect Blue, the director's previous Anime. It is interesting because on the Special Feature section of the DVD, the creators of Millennium Actress actually said that they wanted to make something like Perfect Blue. However the story to Millennium Actress is completely different. The story is still focused on an actress but instead of suspense, this anime is one gigantic love story which takes you through different periods of Japanese film culture.

One thing which I really enjoyed about this anime is the great creativity which is used to tell the story. It is difficult to explain in words but the main character Chiyako is seen jumping from movies to movies from different eras in order to advance the plot. This way of story telling is certainly the first I have seen in an Anime and is implemented very well.

Overall I strongly recommend this anime to most viewers. Unlike Perfect Blue there are no sex scenes and very little violence in this Anime which would explain the PG rating. However, the subject matter and the complexity of the story in this anime would be much more appreciated by adults.

31 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The love of the chase and the romance of unrequited love, December 2, 2003

By 

Zack Davisson "japanreviewed" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Millennium Actress (DVD)

"Millennium Actress" does what every good animation should do. It takes a good look at the medium, and puts forth a story that utilizes the unique strengths of animation, making a film that could not be live-action. This is a master at work.

Both intellectual and emotional, the story is profound and touching, deep with sorrow and hope and unspoken, unrequited love that lasts throughout the years of a lifetime. The two main stories are Chioyoko, desperately seeking the love of her childhood across the years, a man who gave her a key to "the most important thing" and Genya, the journalist interviewing Chioyoko about her life, and who also has carried a secret, powerful love for most of his lifetime.

Drifting across Chioyoko's lifetime as an actress, the story fades in and out of her movies, blending seamlessly fantasy and reality, past, present and future. The technique is amazing, as is the journey through Japan's history as Chioyoko makes various period films, becoming schoolgirl, peasant, Geisha, prostitute, Samurai princess and astronaut. Always she is seeking the man she knew as a child, and every role is a quest.

A brilliant film, on par with any great animation such as "Grave of the Fireflies" or "Spirited Away."

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars INVOLVING AND UNEXPECTEDLY EMOTIONAL ADULT TALE, November 7, 2003

By 

Robin Simmons (Palm Springs area, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Millennium Actress (DVD)

Emotional and touching, MELLENNIUM ACTRESS (DreamWorks) looks at the life of movie star Chioyoke after three decades of seclusion. When she grants an interview to journalist Tachibana and recounts her films and memories of a mysterious artist she first met as a girl, Tachibana finds himself within Chioyoke's mind and movies -- observing and then assisting this actress he clearly worships. The action jumps through eras of recent Japanese films and history with realistic animation and striking composition. Words cannot do justice to this mature, intelligent and sensitive story that further blossoms on repeated viewings. Recommended