Unagi (1997)

English Title: The Eel Rating: 67 

I wrote this review and first published it on May 05, 1999, under the title "Flawed But Interesting". A minor correction was made for this republication. 

This film deals with the theme of faith, its loss, its recovery. It has strong images, as usual in Imamura's films. It also has a well thought out plot development. But... it hints at directions that are never fully explored. There is a suggestion that the main character is insane. There are hallucinations. Keiko's behavior is also a little obscure at times. But as the core of the movie is melodrama, surreal aspects are only hinted at. That leaves a slight sensation of unachievement.