Customer Reviews

The Most Terrible Time in My Life

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Very fresh and intriguing. Noir film with a wicked sense of humour. I loved the lead character-- a hard-boiled detective with a heart of gold. The only regret about the story I had is the absence of the protagonist for about 20 minutes of the film when it focused on Yang. Please see this movie if you get a chance-- It's very different from the usual gangster flicks out there. At this price, it's a bargain. I wish the DVD had included some more extras, but apart from that it's great.

"The Most Terrible Time In My Life," is one of those quirky films that you really don't hear about too often. I happened to stumble across the Video several years ago, and picked up the DVD a few years back. This is a Japanese film, which is shot in black and white to give it that old film noir look. However, you can tell by the scenes that the film is modern. The film was released in 1993, in Japan. The film mixes tame violence [sort of] with comedy. I thought that it was an interesting watch, and it just might appeal to those viewers who like modern noir. Especially Japanese modern noir. Moreover, the films use of parody is not too over the top, and it is funny!

The film centers on a character named Maiku Hama (Masatoshi Nagase) who is a private eye. He is a very unorthodox private eye however, as his office is above a movie theatre. And if you want to enter his office you have to pay the price of admission. I have to admit that there were parts of this film where I really laughed out loud. Especially the scene where Maiku's sensei beats the hell out of him with a stick. That was hilarious! Plus the cinematography in this black and white film is very, very good. Also, if you like parodies of the old films from the 40s and 50s, then this film is definitely one for you.

Maiku Hama drives around in a ludicrous Nash Rambler [not your typical Japanese Private eye]. Moreover, he likes to gamble. While Maiku is gambling he gets into a mess with a Taiwanese waiter; and it is here the films narrative begins. Maiku looks for the waiters missing brother, and in the process finds himself in trouble with both Hong Kong and Taiwanese mobsters who are attempting to form a new type of Yakuza. The film is entertaining and different, but may not appeal to all viewers. The ending is really not an ending; however, as there appears to be a sequel or two to this particular episode. I have not seen them, but if I come across them I'll probably purchase them. Don't take the film too seriously, it's a fun film and meant to be a parody. [Stars: 3.5]

I originally saw this movie on Sundance Channel a few years back and was truly amazed how great this movie was, and so wanting to view it again and show my friends how great this movie was, I had to add it to my collection.

I highly recommend this movie. beware, if your a lazy movie watcher (doesn't want to read subtitles), then this movie is not for you.

Stumbled on this, and it was my favorite genre, Japanese Noir with a sense of humor. P.I. drives an American Metro from the 60's, and he's got a kid sister, and there's hard-boiled B-girls; its got everything, including kinda obscure referegddgnces (its' an old trick, but watch the theatre marquis). Bang, Bang!

Joining together such forces as American noir, Japanese gangster, the always enjoyable (see sarcasm) French New Wave, and low-brow comedy, "The Most Terrible Time in My Life" is a complex who-done-it that never quite leaves the ground until the third and final act. Attempting to keep audiences attentions by introducing random acts of violence (like the sliced finger and repetitive punch to the leg), our central story remains weak and disjointed. From the beginning, where a random detective (located within a theater) stands up for a seemingly weak mahjongg waiter, we just don't get enough information about the basics of film - the why, who, where, and how - to really care about these two "friends" next course of action. Our director leads us down paths which involve gangsters, missing brothers, misplaced marriages, and then into the dark void of nothingness, until the final act (which I will not give away), that makes you stand up, gain an once of respect for this film, and perhaps eager to see the supposed sequel.

With such a variety of different homage happening in this film, director Kaizo Hayashi has his hands full. After two viewings of the first thirty minutes of this film, I knew I was going to have my hands full. There is just too much happening without further detailed explanations. As an audience, linear is not the only option. One cannot complain about strong storytelling, intriguing characters, and a plot that keeps your mind focused on detail, but with "MTTiML" there was nothing of the sort. Hayashi replaces all of these important facets of cinema with cute images. Hama has a retro American car, he holds office in a movie theater that ironically dictates his life, and sometimes gets angry for no reason. There is also some back story about his mother, his sister, and an angry police officer that we are only privy to small flashbacks of. There was more to tell with this story, something that would eventually lead to that entertaining third act, but alas, there was nothing. As my eyes grew heavy, as Hayashi pulled further into a world that had no central meaning, I was ready to give up - but then, that third act. Just watch this film for the final moments, where we have some central conflict, our black and white turns to color, and finally we have some music to accompany the images. That will tell you enough about this film to see the truth.

Overall, I cannot stand behind this feature. Within the second viewing there were hopes that it would become more connected, that our characters wouldn't just seem like cheap clichés of themselves, but it never happened. There were three to five great scenes that demonstrated the power of Hayashi's ability to control the camera and lead his actors, but those were nearly drowned out by the dull nature of the rest of the picture. The concept was there, it was the execution that was flimsy. One viewing, that is all you need - it will either entertain or provide a good night's rest. You can be the judge.

Grade: ** out of **** (merely for that third act, one could watch those final twenty minutes again and again)

I'd be really happy if Amazon would send this item so I CAN review it.
Hopefully this might get the message across which is otherwise very hard to do.