Product Description: In the tradition of great suspense masters director satoshi kon (memories) special advisor katsuhiro otomo (akira) and madhouse studios (ninja scroll) bring yoshikazu takeuchis thrilling suspense novel to the screen in a tour de force that brings animation to a bold new level. Studio: Starz/sphe Release Date: 05/02/2000 Rating: Ur Director: Satoshi Kon
Amazon.com: One of the most ambitious animated films to come out of Japan (or anywhere, for that matter), Perfect Blue is an adult psycho-thriller that uses the freedom of the animated image to create the subjective reality of a young actress haunted by the ghost of her past identity. Mima is a singer who leaves her teeny-bop trio to become an actress in a violent television series, a career move that angers her fans, who prefer to see her as the pert, squeaky-clean pop idol. Plagued by self-doubt and tormented by humiliating compromises, she begins to be stalked, in her waking and sleeping moments, by an accusing alter ego who claims to be "the real Mima," until she collapses into madness as her coworkers are brutally slain around her. Director Satoshi Kon, adapting the novel by Yoshikazu Takeuchi, shows us the world from her schizophrenic perspective: days blur, dreams cross over into the waking world, the TV show blends into her real life, until her life merges with her part and she can't separate the ghosts from the real-life stalkers. Though the pat ending sweeps the psychosis and anxiety away with nary an emotional scar, it remains a smart, stylish thriller and one of the most intelligent and compelling uses of animation in recent years. Though tame by the extreme standards of "adult anime," there is nudity and a few sexually provocative scenes, and the animation is detailed and stylized (if somewhat stiff and jerky by Disney standards). --Sean Axmaker
I love it!~ Almost in a genre of it's own, Perfect Blue is a deep and involving masterpiece... I would recommend the purchase of this movie to anyone, regardless of their tastes or interests in art or entertainment... I've never watched a movie this deep before... it's almost enough to make one regret watching it, for the fact that one wouldn't be able to again watch it for the first time. I won't spoil the plot at all, but it can be slightly confusing at times, alternate realities seemingly intergrated into one...
What is this about this is one where the writters want to make you say What the hell is that about.
Thought provoking I cant say much that hasnt already been said about this fine piece of cinema but I will say that Perfect Blue has made an impression on me. Something about the style and delivery of this anime that isnt at all like anime grabbed me and left it's mark. Definitely recommended viewing for folks who like psychological thrillers, and especially fans of more real-life anime.
Perfect, Perfect Blue. This is an amazing animated feature about a pop star who wants to become an actress. On her road to becoming an actress she does some things that compromises her morals. Satoshi Kon is an amazing story teller that puts alot of effort into his work. He has a way of telling stories that will leave you guessing to the end. I bought this because of Paprika which came much later than this. Although it is much older than Paprika it is just as good and I really enjoyed it.
One of my favorites ...but for you, perhaps not. If you are sensitive about rape, violent murders and/or are prone to nightmares, this is a movie that you would perhaps want to avoid. If suspense is not your thing and you don't like to think while watching a movie, don't bother.
Perfect Blue starts out as a story about a pop-star-turned-actress (Mima) who might have a fan stalking her. The broader "question" asked could be summed up as "What is reality? What is fake?" Most scenes seem to have two sides to them, which is explained by the ending with a little thought to connect the dots.
Personally, I had a hard time watching this the first time through. Graphic murders don't bother me much, but rape scenes are hard for me to watch, especially because we aren't really sure if Mima is being raped or if she's truly just acting out a scene for her acting job. And I will admit, it is confusing, but I'm the type of person who doesn't mind being confused as long as the ending clears things up and I have that "Ooooooooh, that's what happened" moment.
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