Memoirs of a Murderer

Eiga Sai 2018

Japanese Film Festival

Greenbelt 1, Cinema 2

So after I saw this film, I read online that it was based on a Korean movie with the same title. While watching this crime thriller, I had no idea about the original movie, so I went with fresh eyes, sitting in the dark theater, sometimes cringing from the violence on screen. Other times trying to wrap my mind over the manifestation of evil which can come in any form. 

The premise - it is 2017, a killer known as the Tokyo Strangler resurfaces in the public eye with a controversial memoir recounting his heinous crimes. The catch - these five murders occurred 22 years ago and the 15-year statute of limitations to apprehend any criminal has already lapsed. 

In this age of instant gratification, the curious public turn the memoir into a huge bestseller. Some of the younger generation even treat the killer as the newest social media star, which to me is sickening but it can and does happen in real life. Suddenly he and his book is constantly on the news cycle, TV media outlets milking him for their ratings. It turns into a big circus, flaunting the failure of the police force and one of its detectives (who has a personal connection) to capture him, 22 years ago.

The main questions - is he really the killer who committed those gruesome murders in 1995? Why is there someone else with a video showing a brutal strangulation claiming himself as the real killer? I am not providing any answers nor any spoilers.

The scenes jump from 1995 to present time, through seamless flashbacks with only the hair style of the lead detective indicating the period for the scenes. Yes there are violent scenes of the murders, so you have been warned. There are also several twists and turns, certain subplots which all add to the dramatic effect it was aiming for. 

There is enough intrigue to draw our short attention span in, masking several flaws in the presentation of the story. So for that, and only that, I am not giving this film, high marks. Just saying if you are into intrigue, mystery and criminals glorifying their dastardly acts in public, then give it a go. Otherwise, just carry on with rose-tinted glasses to shield you from the evil horrors of this world. Peace!