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Eiko Matsuda, Tatsuya Fuji, Aoi Nakajima, Yasuko Matsui, Meika Seri ... see more see more... , Akiko Koyama , Taiji Tonoyama , Naomi Shiraishi

Based upon a true incident in 1930s Japan, Nagisa Oshima's controversial film effectively skirts the borderline between pornography and art -- making Bernardo Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris of four ... read more read more...years earlier look like children's programming in comparison. The story concerns servant and former prostitute Sada Abe (Eiko Matsuda) who becomes sexually obsessed with her employer Kizicho (Tatsuya Fuji), a businessman, after seeing him making love to his wife. After making love to Sada, Kizicho becomes obsessed with her as well. As their love-making becomes more and more intense, they find themselves unable to separate themselves from each other, until every waking hour is spent in more and more dangerous sexual acts with Sada becoming more and more of the aggressor. Finally, for the ultimate in eroticism, Kizicho agrees to be strangled during sexual ecstasy for the ultimate in orgasmic fulfillment. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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65% liked it

5,106 ratings

Critics

84% liked it

31 critics

NC-17, 1 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Nagisa Oshima

Release Date: January 1, 1976

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DVD Release Date: April 25, 2000

Stats: 439 reviews

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In the Realm of the Senses In the Realm of the Senses In the Realm of the Senses In the Realm of the Senses In the Realm of the Senses Sada Abe In the Realm of the Senses Nagisa Oshima and Koji Wakamatsu on set Kichizo In the Realm of the Senses In the Realm of the Senses In the Realm of the Senses red kimono
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Flixster Reviews (439)

  • ajv2688
    January 3, 2011
    ajv2688
    A beautiful, but very adult, film. The story is very powerful and kinda crazy, but I think it was actually based on a true story! An excellent movie about obsession.
  • flixsterman
    January 7, 2009
    flixsterman
    Fascinating tale of two lovers who become so obsessed with each other that it eventually consumes them. I lost count as to how many times this couple had sex but it was a LOT. If there ever was a film that could have benefited from a little 'product placement' of Viagra, this w... read moreould be that film.
  • cancercapricorn2002
    December 15, 2008
    cancercapricorn2002
    In the Realm of the Senses is a film that has divided opinions among those that have seen it (a number that is not too big thanks to the film being banned in many countries across the globe), but love it or hate it; you have to admit that In the Realm of the Senses is certainly v... read moreery interesting. The plot is allegedly (according to the epilogue) based on a true story, although I would describe it as a more hardcore version of the 1969 Pinku film 'Blind Beast'; although In the Realm of the Senses is a really different experience and could not in any way be considered a copy of the earlier film. The plot primarily focuses on love and obsession, and we get two central characters. They are Kichizo and Sada and the pair meet and fall in love rather quickly. It's not long before they are spending every waking minute together; and most of the time they spend is naked, engaging in sex all the time. Sada soon becomes infatuated with Kichizo and as their relationship becomes more and more intimate, things begin to spiral out of control.

    This film is somewhat unique for the fact that it's both Japanese and features gratuitous, full-on nudity. The film really doesn't hold back either, and one of the most shocking things about is how seeing the two central characters naked for most of the film doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. There's some hardcore and explicit sex scenes too, with blow jobs, anal etc featuring often. The film is sometimes passed off as merely pornography, but it's not a fair statement to make about the film. While it certainly is very pornographic, it's clear that director Nagisa Oshima valued telling a story over shocking his audience and the gratuitous nudity exists to further the point that the film is trying to make. The film is very well made; the cinematography is beautiful and all the performers do well; Eiko Matsuda in particular is excellent as the obsessive leading lady. It's clear that the film is building up to something and while the conclusion is hinted at early on; it's still shocking enough once it arrives. Overall, this is a fantastic film and a must see for cult fans.
  • arashxak
    September 30, 2008
    arashxak
    Groundbreaking & highly controversial for its time & was banned outright in many countries this movie is based on a true story about sexual obsession, It's somehow monotonous but that's ok and after all it has guts which is a good thing, The uncut version is really graphic
  • webalina
    January 20, 2008
    webalina
    Porn dressed up as art. This Japanese-made film tells the supposedly true story of a couple who are sexually obsessed with each other to the point of murder. While it's titillating enough in places (a very quick fellatio scene is here for example), it's actually kinda boring watc... read morehing these people have sex all the time. And once one of the main characters snaps towards the end, it loses all momentum it had. Yawn.
  • pier007
    June 18, 2007
    pier007
    Tedious, nothing more than pornography in disguise. the shoking ending is the only remarkable moment, and it makes the film quite bearable.
  • deano
    October 24, 2006
    deano
    Sicko erotic tale.
  • gator681
    November 15, 2005
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"In the Realm of the Senses" takes place in Japan in the 1930's. Sada(Eiko Matsuda) is a former prostitute and the new employee at a teahouse. Upon meeting her boss(Tatsuya Fuji), they begin one of your normal all-encompassing love affairs where they only ... read moredo two things - have sex and drink saki. And they really, really cannot stand to be apart from each other, even with the occasional money and spouse issues.[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"In the Realm of the Senses" is an extremely sexually explicit tale that is based on a true story. That having been said, it is not in the least erotic. You do need more than sex to tell a story. Even pornographic movies have a delusion of plot. And like "The Dreamers," I also found this movie very annoying because it is about unsympathetic people who have kinky sex inside while momentous events are happening just outside. The ending is particularly revolting.[/font]
  • divinetrash
    December 5, 2010
    divinetrash
    This movie left me feeling phisically weak. Don't get me wrong, I'm no prude, believe me, but the sexuality of this movie is harrowing and tiring, which is also the point, it's a clear manifestation of these characters relationship, but having only the sex to base us on, well, it... read more doesn't leave a reason to actually care or know either of them.
  • mvieaddict
    February 24, 2010
    mvieaddict
    In the realm of Senses was wonderfully plotted and expertly acted that it almost had a dream effect. It was an erotic fantasy turned into nightmare. It was the story of a sexual relationship between a young Japanese couple.At first lustful and erotic, they can't get enough from ... read moreeach other. However, their obsession ended in tragedy.

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Critic Reviews

Donald J. Levit
March 22, 2012
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews

This particular consideration of mutual possession which approaches and then transcends death is well-paced and, within story possibilities, -acted as well. Full Review

Cole Smithey
November 27, 2011
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

That graphic sexual expression is the narrative currency Oshima uses to explicate a connection between sex and death only adds to the film's incalculable power to provoke, offend, frighten, and spellb... Full Review

Jason Best
October 24, 2011
Jason Best, Movie Talk

Oshima holds nothing back. Yet watching the couple's constant lovemaking is the very opposite of erotic. Which may very well be the point. Sada and Kichizo's fantasy world is strictly private; it does... Full Review

Edward Porter
September 1, 2009
Edward Porter, Times [UK]

Declaring yourself bored by a movie full of explicit sex may sometimes mark you out as a dreary pseudo-sophisticate, but in this case it's fair enough. Full Review

Philip French
September 1, 2009
Philip French, Observer [UK]

I still find In the Realm of the Senses impressive but it now puzzles and worries me. Full Review

David Parkinson
August 29, 2009
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine

Ai No Corrida is an undeniably powerful, stylish and impressive piece of work. Full Review

Trevor Johnston
August 29, 2009
Trevor Johnston, Time Out

Unsanitised, worryingly convincing in its sadomasochistic detail, this is seriously provocative cinema, a telling reminder of what it really means to be dangerous. Full Review

Kevin Maher
August 29, 2009
Kevin Maher, Times [UK]

As the soundtrack moans in sympathy while the deep crimson colours dazzle in delirium, the entire movie comes desperately close to approximating the pell-mell emotional turmoil of sex itself. Not porn... Full Review

Peter Bradshaw
August 29, 2009
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]

One of the most extraordinary moments in screen history. Oshima's film widens and deepens the sensual realm. Full Review

Allan Hunter
August 29, 2009
Allan Hunter, Daily Express

A graphic and extremely disturbing exploration of lust and love that deserves its reputation as a classic of world cinema. Full Review

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