Visitor Q (Bijitâ Q) (2001)

It's hard to plainly say I "like" Visitor Q because its subject matter is so disturbing, but viewing it in the long, rich tradition of experimental films coupled with a dash of art-house form, Visitor Q does have its merits. Films of this ilk don't merely exist to shock and appal the viewer (although that's certainly part of it) they are meant to convey a series of themes and messages residing (at times even hiding) underneath the surface--it's just harder to find those messages with the constant barrage of stirring and bizarre imagery. While Visitor Q probably isn't as biting as Pasolini, as purposeful as Jorodowsky, or as satirical as Bunuel, it does speak to the amazing versatility of Taskashi Miike. Here, he plays with form so masterfully. The cross-cutting between these insane scenes; the background imagery; the rare moments of pathos were pathos shouldn't be; the quick tonal shifts, and the seamless transitioning between hand-held and pull-ins to put you, the viewer, in a creepy voyeuristic position, a front row seat to the perverse happenings. That position made me feel very uncomfortable -- and therein lies the point: with our endless fascination with "reality TV," we line up in droves to watch people, family, friends' most intimate occurrences play out in front of us as "entertainment." In the case of celebrity, one can make a great argument that we love watching people crumble in front of our very eyes as well. Where is the line? How much disintegration can we handle, since we, in a way, ask for it? Miike is able to take these ideas (along with a commentary on the "do nothing" state of the modern family, and the fragility of Japanese culture), and integrate them into an experimental, art-house, comedy thriller. In fact, you probably can't lump this film into one genre -- and yet, it plays effortlessly. That's a triumph.This film will challenge you in ways few can. Whether you like it or not, it will stimulate you. It takes an astute viewer to see beyond the horrific, but if you like and/or are open to the truly exaggerated, surreal and confrontational, you might get something more out of Visitor Q than meets the eye.