nanaskura
Canada
Noroi builds up atmosphere and a sense of dread in the watcher more effectively than I have ever experienced in a film of this nature. The story is engaging; it piques your curiosity right from the beginning and keeps you engaged and hungry for all the answers to the riddle right along with the "main character".
The acting is good. So good that you don't really think about the fact that they are actors, which is exactly what you want out of a POV film. They're just people.
The special effects are a little on the corny side when they do finally come around, but it definitely does not detract from the film itself, since it is so effective at building up tension leading to the climax.
Watch this movie (alone or with a friend) with the lights out and plenty of blankets around you and I promise you will not regret it.
Was this review helpful to you?
The plot line, on the surface, deals with a young woman coming in to nanny for a rich family. Naturally, as you would expect from a movie like this, she gets in way to deep and begins an affair with the attractive, domineering husband. The story line then develops further from there and we are thrown into what we can only imagine is the shallow end of the lengths these people will go to to protect their image, their wealth, and their family.
The movie very intelligently weaves a cast of characters and a story that gives us an intriguing look into the world of the wealthy and the privileged. They get what they want, when they want it, and will stop at nothing for it.
The acting was superb. There was not a single actor/actress that I didn't believe in their portrayal of the character--even in the case of the child, and I have a hard time with child actors usually.
The cinematography and editing were wonderful. The director really knew how to play with angles and to give the viewer just enough to immerse us in the story but not so much that it overwhelmed our senses. The lighting perfectly suited the moods and the choices made for scenes were very smart.
Only one small thing bothered me at the climax, but mostly on the basis of physics and I didn't find it entirely necessary, but you can be the judge when you get there. This movie is also not suited for anyone who is sensitive when it comes to nudity and sex. There is definitely some of that in there.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I went in knowing that it was a movie I would need to think about and pay attention to--much like American Psycho, which seems superfluous if you don't get all the connotations behind it.
Go in with an open mind, and a thirst for intrigue, sex, and drama and you won't be disappointed.
Was this review helpful to you?
For once, romance is not the focal point of the plot--and that is actually really refreshing. The writers did an excellent job of keeping the story moving throughout all 28 episodes and kept me interested the entire time.
The acting is superb. And I'm not exaggerating in the slightest. Even the characters that I didn't like that much/didn't think were as well acted as compared to the rest of the characters still gave unbelievable performances.
I'm not a person that is easily moved to tears, but I cried my heart out throughout a number of the episodes leading to the conclusion and almost died of emotion during the last episode.
The music wasn't as distracting as it usually is in dramas--which is nice. The songs were good and subtle, and the ones sung by the characters in the actual drama were well done.
My only small, itsy bitsy complaint is that occasionally the chemistry between the two romantic leads seemed a bit flat sometimes. But, only sometimes. And my disappointment in that aspect was overshadowed by every other detail within the drama.
I only have one thing to say to those of you sitting on the fence about this drama: watch it. I highly doubt you will regret it. It is a masterpiece of acting, script-writing, and cinematography and I can't think of any better way I would have spent the 30+ hours I spent watching Bridal Mask.
Was this review helpful to you?
The cast of characters was set up extremely well in the beginning. They all had distinct and seperate personalities that were at once believable and easily identifiable as you watched them continue through the film. They did a good job in setting up the dynamics through action and short dialogue to pull you into the group.
The setting is nothing unusual for a film like this, I've seen asylum movies before, but it was used very effectively. The plot delivers some interesting twists and turns from what you would generally expect from this sort of movie though and for that, I applaud it.
On top of it all, I think it was acted incredibly well. The characters were all so believable because the actors really did a great job. I believed them every step of the way.
Overall, very enjoyable.
Was this review helpful to you?
