Uzumaki (2000)

Directed by Higuchinsky

Starring Eriko Hatsune, Fhi Fan

A manga adaptation with some really inventive ideas in terms of storyline and visual flair.

Kirie lives in a small town in Japan and relates the story; srange things are at hand! people are acting in the most peculiar way. Kiries boyfriends father is obsessed with spirals and has made a vast collection of every spiral pattern he can find, he spends hours filming snails just to record the spiral shells but thats only the tip of the iceberg because soon bizarre events and violent deaths start occurring. What is the significance of the spiral, why is everyone becoming obsessed with them and who on earth cast the actors?

All the visual originality of Tim Burton and a story full of bizarre Lynch(ian) twists, this film should be a classic but unfortunately it isnt. The soundtrack is at times excellent adding to the heady atmosphere but there are times when it is twee making you feel like youre watching a film for 5 year olds. 

The acting, the lead actress is just about passable but the lead actor is so wooden he wouldnt notice if you hammered a nail into him, as for the others, a few are fine but some would embarrass a pantomime with their over the top hammy performances. 

Recommended for originality and the visual design, shame about the acting

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated 18 Why?