In depth and mini reviews of movies with a sprinkling of nostalgia and film music musings.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Anime Juke Box - Angel of Love - Perfect Blue
Time again for another hit from the anime juke box. Since we are in October that means its time for some horror music. Perfect Blue is one of the best anime films out there. The way director Satoshi Kon manipulates the world around the main character, Mima, makes it all work. Mima is part of a pop group. The song they sing at the start of the film is so cheerful and poppy it couldn't possibly be evil right? Well Kon ends up using the song a few times in the film and by the time you hear it the last time it has become down right sinister. So every time I hear this happy little tune I can't help but shudder a little.
So here is Angel of Loveperformed by Cham featuring Mima!
The juxtaposition of opposites is a classic dramatic technique. I imagine that, just as the scariest villains are those who don’t look the part, happy music and dread can be an effective pair.
Yeah it really does work in the film. When you first hear the song and see the performance it seems kind of silly and over the top. But then you see a few things are off as the crowd reacts to the song. Each time you hear or flash back tot he performance, things get more and more disturbing, until you hit that final sequence with the song. Very nicely done.
I think I've got this movie in the queue to watch. If I'm thinking of the same movie it's free on the Paramount site on Youtube. Anyway, I'll keep you track in mind--very poppy indeed. I haven't watched much anime lately except for watching a few episodes of Parasyte, I think is the title, which is sort of like The Thing in some ways.
It's a really well made film, but certainly one you need to pay attention to when you watch it. Kon never made a movie for passive audiences. It is also rewatchable, as you'll pick up all sorts of little details that change the way you view the movie.
The juxtaposition of opposites is a classic dramatic technique. I imagine that, just as the scariest villains are those who don’t look the part, happy music and dread can be an effective pair.
ReplyDeleteYeah it really does work in the film. When you first hear the song and see the performance it seems kind of silly and over the top. But then you see a few things are off as the crowd reacts to the song. Each time you hear or flash back tot he performance, things get more and more disturbing, until you hit that final sequence with the song. Very nicely done.
DeleteI think I've got this movie in the queue to watch. If I'm thinking of the same movie it's free on the Paramount site on Youtube. Anyway, I'll keep you track in mind--very poppy indeed. I haven't watched much anime lately except for watching a few episodes of Parasyte, I think is the title, which is sort of like The Thing in some ways.
ReplyDeleteIt's a really well made film, but certainly one you need to pay attention to when you watch it. Kon never made a movie for passive audiences. It is also rewatchable, as you'll pick up all sorts of little details that change the way you view the movie.
Delete