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Quickie Review - Oshima's Taboo

When the late Nagisa Oshima passed earlier this year, the name didn't immediately jump out.  Then I saw the title Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence within the obituary and immediately knew who he was.  Oshima truly blew me away, during a film class, when I was lucky enough to view his masterpiece of dark comedy, Death by Hanging.  Oshima is not afraid to take risks, showing violence, showing actual sexual relations and in many cases, tackling social taboos head on.  In the aptly named Taboo (Gohatto), he looks at homosexual love among the shogun militia.

The movie stars the effeminate yet powerful Ryuhei Matsuda, as Kano, the new samurai to the clan. He is thought to be having an affair with another new member, Tashiro (played by Tadanobu Asano.  The film is viewed mostly from the eyes of Captain Hijikata, played by the force of nature Takashi 'Beat' Kitano  Sadly, most Americans only know him from the dubbed comedy game show Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, known in Japan as Takashi's Castle.

The movie does not judge.  It looks at each man's reaction to the news about homosexuality, but it takes a deeper look into desire, acceptance and how wanting can cause disintegration amongst the ranks.  The love or sex with Kano is insignificant.  As we see throughout the course of the film, each character wants Kano in their own way.  Kano, basically a rookie, suddenly attains a power over everyone.  In the end, he is forced to prove his worth, but doing what we believe to be the unthinkable, but is it.  What are his motivations?  We never know, but can only guess from what we are shown.

Where the movie shines in it's simplicity, despite a complex matter.  The film was made in the late 90's and takes place well over 100 years before, yet it's fragile subject seems more openly accepted than even in today's world. Oshima strips away the genders, but portraying Kano as universally beautiful. One could even question whether or not there is a god complex involved.  What I personally liked about the movie was the comedic side, especially in the scenes with the frustrated Kitano.  His natural wit, plays well with the angst of the other characters. It is indeed he who creates the finale, which shows hints of Shakespearean influence, as the scene becomes a surreal battle, when all (but not really) is revealed.

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