Gohatto (1999) Taboo

Directed by Nagisa Oshima

Starring Takeshi Kitano, Tadanobu Asano, Shinji Takeda, Ryuhei Matsuda

Gohatto comes across as a samurai film where very little happens but dig beneath the surface and on top of the political upheaval and formality you have a seething pit of desire with a difference.

Set in 1860s Kyoto, Sozaburo Kano and Hyozo Tashiro are enlisted to the Shinshigumi, a form of militia. Because of Kanos girlish looks Tashiro is drawn to him, unfortunately so are a few other samurai including those of higher rank. While they become lovers, several of the others try it on with Kano, some even succeeding in bedding him. Scheming and passions arise as others try to separate the lovers so they can attempt to seduce Kano. 

Kano though has his own obsessions though unluckily for him the people he seems to fall for arent gay, for all his effeminate beauty, Kano is cruel and will use, betray and kill anyone who stands in his way. As the film rolls along the plots thicken, at times its difficult to work out who is gay, who is straight and who is plotting against whom but its worth sticking with it. 

The film has no scenes of an explicit nature unlike Oshimas own In the Realm of the Senses and it works well without them, what it does have is depth, fine acting a strong cast and enough twists to tie you in knots.

If I had to find anything wrong, I'd have to say everything is too pristine, a srange complaint maybe but even the streets and the peasant children looked too clean!

Recommended viewing as an alternative samurai film with good re-watch value.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated 15