We are talking psychological drama hidden in light and humorous atmosphere with a fantastic delivery! Although light, eccentric and even absurd, the general feeling of the film doesn't seem parodic (for the most part!).Everything that happens, looking from a psychological aspect, kind of makes sense. All the characters' (which you are so easily drawn by) reactions, development, morale behind their actions add up to where the plot leads them.What Mr. Sion Sono wanted to do (and succeeded in) with this movie is tell a story about actions and reactions, about how people from similar backgrounds can easily be both same, yet so different. It's a story about love, pain, strength, devotion, kindness and ultimately, morale.4 hour length of the movie is very justified by the complexity of the plot. Not only we are able to connect to characters, the storyline picks up many turns and twists we never expected and changes genre as the story progresses.I must not fail to mention, if you aren't open minded, skip it. If you get triggered by people not being heteronormative then skip it. Dislike Japanese cinematography and humor? Ehh, maybe skip it as well. Hardcore religious? Yeah, definitely skip it. Fetishism makes you uncomfortable? Hard skip, otherwise, you are in for a treat, especially if you have been enjoying a lot of movies and a lot of genres (it would definitely help if you watched some film festival movies featuring different cultures). Fantastic work Mr. Sion Sono, for this movie I thank you sincerely!

Crazy, over 3 hours long mixture of themes and ideas by Sion Sono. The movie exposes not only love, but also faith, family, society and more. Despite exaggerated, insane style of the movie, it manages to capture character's personality, world view and emotions from this whirl and present them in a unique and interesting way. Storytelling in the movie might look chaotic, with all the distinctly different characters, crazy cults, up-skirt photography, and unexpected shifts of the perspective, but at some point it all comes together. Love exposure is a long movie, and changes of style and exposed themes make it almost feel like a few different films, and even though some moments of it are not quite as interesting and entertaining as the others, in the end you will still get one of the most enjoyable and unique experiences movie can provide.

Just watched it for the second time! First of all, I have to say that I'm not really qualified to write a review for such a big, awesome movie. But since its like my all time favorite movie, I can't hold myself back.I disagree with people who say this is a love movie. If you watch it expecting something like that, you might find it extremely unrealistic and unsatisfying. Of course, its also a love movie, but its much much more than that! Hence 4 hours of duration.Its a movie which focuses on love, lust, faith etc in an extremely surreal and unique way. I think its a movie about "life" itself. Many things seem crazy in this movie, but I think the real life is no different, we're just used to it. This movie made me re-think life, my life, myself, and question many many things. I think its also a philosophical movie in a way! Lastly, I have to say that the movie is really top notch from almost every aspect, like filming, acting, character development etc. I think there is a lot of philosophy going on behind every little detail that I'm yet to understand this movie fully.Anyway, I recommend reading other reviews too but be cautious of spoilers!

This was part of Film 4's recent 'Extreme Season' and it's easy to see why. Film critic and introducer to the film, Mark Kermode unravelled a whole heap of adjectives in trying to describe its virtues - and I think he only scraped the surface.Yes, we know by now that it's 4 hours long but with the requisite ad breaks, that bumps it up to five. Thus, the very thought of committing the time and effort to this huge chunk of one's valuable life is far worse than actually watching it. Due to other commitments, I had to undertake watching the recording in 3 manageable pieces, turning each into 'normal' film lengths.Lurching between high melodrama and lamenting ballad, Love Exposure IS a love story. But the most crazy, beautiful and fantastical one you've ever seen. Typically Japanese in going to extremes, at times modern fairytale and then extreme graphic violence almost at the turn of a hat.Somehow, strangely all the characters are endearing, especially the two central ones, Yu and Yoko. Yoko must have the sweetest smile I've ever seen, at times enticing, at others crying painfully. If you think though that this is just about emotional roller-coasting, there are some of the most striking story lines and stunts and ideas that have come from a fertile, imaginative and superb director, that mix martial arts with technology, religion with sex, perversion with love and much more.The choice of music, from Ravel's 'Bolero' to other brilliant rock pieces, that were repeated in loops really added to the structure and my enjoyment and I'm sure they hypnotised us into feeling the film shorter than it actually was. This was one of the best features of the project.Unlike the film, I'm going to keep my review shortish. Let's just say that the hype is real, the movie is unforgettable and whilst not quite a Citizen Kane, most film lovers with an open mind and an open heart will find much to enjoy.