Bullet Ballet (1998)

Movie Rating NR Contains: Strong Language Violence Graphic Violence Mature Situations

Director: Shinya Tsukamoto Movie Genre: Cyberpunk, Drama Country: Japan Bullet Ballet Score Card The following scores are based on a 0.0 to 10.0 rating scale Hover your mouse pointer over the name of each scoring category below for a description Direction: 7.0 Writing: 5.0 Acting: 6.7 Cinematography: 7.0 Sound and Score: 6.2 Functionality: 6.0 Presentation: 7.0 Genre Comparison: 8.0 General Comparison: 6.8 Overall: 6.6 Reviewed 2005-11-28 23:26:42

Bullet Ballet is a movie about Goda, a man who drives himself insane after the suicide of his girlfriend. Goda, played by Shinya Tsukamoto, quickly becomes obsessed with obtaining the exact model of gun that his girlfriend used to kill herself. While trying to get this gun, he gets involved with a violent gang of drug addicts and his world spirals out of control. Goda also develops feelings for Chisato, the female lead, who is also one of the gang members. The movie climaxes with an over-the-top battle royale where Goda gets caught in the middle.

This story is not cohesive and there are moments where it is impossible to follow from one event to the next. The disjointed nature of the narrative is deliberately disorienting. This adds to the overall chaotic feel of the movie. Tsukamoto decided to shoot Bullet Ballet using only handheld shots with digital cameras. This decision, along with the use of black and white photography, adds a much-needed level of grittiness to the movie.

Bullet Ballet is a political movie. This is the boldest, most heavy-handed Tsukamoto movie that I have seen. There is an excellent stock footage montage midway through the movie that greatly reinforces the anti-gun message.

Bullet Ballet does not fit into any one genre. It is more accessible than most art-house films, too chaotic to be enjoyable upon every viewing, and too incoherent to have a wide audience. With all of that said, this movie is very well made. Bullet Ballet grabs hold of you in the beginning and takes you to a place where no other movie can.