This review is for the 1:49 (109 minute) version of the film in Japanese with English subtitles. I believe this is the 'uncut' version. I was quite worried before watching this film about what I was letting myself in for after having read some of the reviews. I feared it might be something like some of Pasolini's films. I needn't have worried. Admittedly you might not want to show it to your maiden aunt. It's a sort of art house version of Showgirls (1995). The hallucination scenes reminds me a bit of the Mandrax infused scenes in Celine and Julie go boating (1974). So as a bit of trivia I'm guessing that is the drug Ai takes.It's supposedly a warts and all look at the life of a Tokyo prostitute, Ai, who specialises in S & M set at the time of the economic bubble. Obviously this could just be a flimsy excuse for a lot of gratuitous footage under the guise of Art. I'm inclined to give it the benefit of the doubt. It's never going to be a great film, but at least it does pass the Bechdel test. Films with a similar idea that spring to mind are Klute (1971) and Strella (2009). Both of which seemed like a more realistic portrayal, particularly Strella.I may be being a little unfair since some of it could have got lost in translation.

I've only seen the heavily edited 85-minute German version of this film, which is, above all, puzzling. With 50 minutes missing in comparison to the original Japanese version, this version contains not even two thirds of the original plot, making it and an abstract, seemingly disconnected sequence of unerotic S/M scenes and fragments of a plot showing a woman's life falling apart. There is a certain appeal in this abstractness in that it makes the main character's motivations completely enigmatic and lends a surreal touch to some of the scenes (what was that clairvoyante all about?), but my guess is that the full version must be an entirely different film, and probably a better one than what I have seen.I can't say anything about the "real" movie, but even though it shows some sort of potential, the edited version comes across as mostly pointless.

The story of Ai, a beautiful and delicate young woman who is looking for something real, or someone to rescue her from a world of dark sexuality and drugs. At the age of 22, Ai comes to the conclusion that she is completely devoid of any real talent or skill. Even though she is a quiet and shy person, she finds herself working in the sometimes brutal Tokyo sex industry, as an 'escort' for rich and decadent clients. She rarely speaks, but her facial expressions show the terror and revulsion, and lack of understanding of the bizarre things that are asked of her. 'Tokyo Decadence' is filmed in a lush and colorful style, utilizing garish colors and costumes to emphasize the bizarre and sordid world that this girl is living in. Somehow, despite being exposed to every conceivable perversion, Ai retains a kind of childlike innocence that is ultimately heartbreaking to behold. For she does eventually break under the strain, and it is what makes this film so much more than erotica. I watched this film, (the 112 minute version) recently, after not seeing it for many years. I did not remember that drug use played such a big part in the story. Cocaine, crack, heroin, Ecstasy. Many people here seem to be lost somehow, escorts and clients as well, in the steel-like metropolis of Tokyo. Ai's world is so artificial, and very intimidating; everyone around her seems to have so much money and power, and such an understanding and acceptance of any sexual practice. The film is dark and explicit from the first frame, but takes a decidedly darker turn with the introduction of a jaded and fascinating young dominatrix named 'Mistress Saki'. Following a bizarre session with a man into being humiliated, Saki invites Ai to her lavish apartment, where she repeatedly shoots heroin and shares freebase cocaine with the bewildered Ai. At first this woman seems happy and comfortable with her wealth and profession, but when you see her dissolve into a maniacal junkie, (she shoots up 3 or 4 times in the space of an evening), it is quite tragic. She speaks of finding another world, and a better life. She advises her protégé to seek out the man that she still loves, who stopped seeing her without warning. Ai does this, but makes the mortal mistake of taking a hit of Ecstasy before going to him. By the time she gets to his house, she has dissolved into a stumbling wreck, and her hopes of reuniting with her man are lost forever. 'Tokyo Decadence' is a film of great beauty and power. The sex is explicit but is never sexually stimulating, only because every encounter is mingled with so much pain. If you can relate to this lost girl, than the film will have an impact stronger than you might expect.

I liked this movie because of the emotional problems it depicted from this young woman in order for her to survive. My heart went out to her as she struggled to satisfied her clients. I think this movie also shows how depraved sexuality has become.