This movie is totally insane. When you think it can't get any worse, it does - and more. Director Sion Sono has said that he wanted to "depict a sense of total hopelessness" which he felt is "lacking in Japanese films." (The Tokyo Reporter, Nov 28, 2010). I'd say he has succeeded. If you like blood, naked bodies or crazy people, go ahead and see it. This is some kind of mentally disturb #7thArt.

Although COLD FISH is the third film I've seen from cult Japanese director Sion Sono, following on from SUICIDE CLUB and EXTE, it's the first that feels like the work of an auteur rather than just a director-for-hire. For this is an epic story of the flawed human condition, at times a shocking serial killer thriller along the lines of I SAW THE DEVIL, and at other times a warts-and-all portrayal of messed-up family life.The film's incredible plot, which always keeps you guessing and goes into some truly uncharted territory, is best left unsaid, at the risk of spoiling the fun. Suffice to say that it feels hugely fresh and new. The cast give incredibly raw and visceral performances, not least the female cast members who are often asked to show and do everything for their roles. I liked the protagonist's mild-mannered nature, which makes him feel realistic, although it's Denden who gives the film's most show-stopping performance. Otherwise it's a wild ride involving perverse sex, anger, violence, murder, some extreme gore scenes, and a film that feels like something fellow auteur Park Chan-wook would have made. I recommend it, if you have the stomach for it.

Cold Fish, in so many words is 'Straw Dogs (1971)' taking a jet to Japan, into fish stores that look like LSD drain-houses and makes it shake hands with guts and gore. Dustin Hoffman broke-down and so did his glasses; break, and he ended up defending his cottage and anestranged, mischievous wife from the hillbillies and killed some in the process, including the nerdy mathematician disposition. In 'Cold Fish',the small; meek; acquiescent; hesitant and bespectacled protagonist finds himself in a situation of sorts - which take sharp turns and puts Syamoto (Mitsuru Fukikoshi) in a place which reeks of psychosis and rot. His wife is young and disenchanted by the whole deal. The stereotype teenage daughter has her hormones boiling at a 1000 degrees. What is wrong with these kids?The director shows this to us as if in a dream. The camera pans slowly, it zooms in and out at snail's pace and tries to relish every emotion, each delivery and prop in most of the the frames. All this is done brilliantly, however, if the movie was a tad-bit shorter, I would have liked it even more.The manic Murata (Syamoto's business partner, in some ways), played by Denden is a complex creature. The part is not an easy one and hats off to Denden for bringing Murata to life on the screen. The exercise is nothing short of passion; a study in strenuous acting sequences being thrown at the audience without contrition or self reproach. He puts on Murata's skin and does not take it off, even when he offers a severed 'something' to our 'hero' to feel it. If 'Straw Dogs' was a shocker for the seventies, 'Cold Fish' is a wake up call; digging into the audiences' minds by using the voluptuous Megumi Kagurazaka as Taeko, the wife of Syamoto and the inciting Hikari Kajiwara. Both ladies are a treat to watch, all of it; the brains and the booty. Freud would be grinning too.Not for the squeamish though,one scene reminded me of 'Itchi the Killer (2001)' and that's notpleasant, even in a funny way, even if a woman is hysterically laughing, covered in blood; not her own.

So, this movie is bonkers. To give you an idea just how bonkers, imagine the director having a preliminary chat about the roles of his two female leads: Director Sono: This role is… a bit difficult and… maybe a bit embarrassing.Kagurazaka (as Taeko): Right.Sono: Do you understand fully? To put it bluntly.. Taeko will be raped twice, one of which she seems to be enjoying it, and that's separate from the nude scene.Kagurazaka: Yes, I understand.Sono: Er, so… please do your best.Kagurazaka: I'll do my best with cheer! ********************************************************************* Sono: Ms. Kurosawa, the role of Aiko is… quite irregular.Kurosawa: Yes… it is, isn't it? Sono: Basically... you are a really crazy person. And we don't know why. Your crazy husband's back-story will be explained a little, but you are a mystery. Just really messed up in the head.Kurosawa: I roll around in blood. I cut up bodies. I don't mind. As long as I have a master I'm happy.) Sono: Yeah, that's the idea.Kurosawa: I don't know compassion but I'm still lively and have a pleasant sense of humor.Sono: Right right right. You understand perfectly.