Kagi (Odd Obsession) (The Key) poster & wallpaper
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Machiko Kyo, Ganjiro Nakamura, Junko Kano, Tatsuya Nakadai, Tanie Kitabayashi ... see more see more... , Ichiro Sugai , Jun Hamamura , Kyu Sazanka , Mantaro Ushio

Several cinematic variations on Junichiro Tanizaki's novel about jealousy, voyeurism, and sexual arousal began with this award-winning drama by director Kon Ichikawa. Kenji Kenmochi (Ganjiro Nakamura)... read more read more... is the older and increasingly impotent husband of young Ikuko (Machiko Kyo). He is desperate to regain his virility and when injections fail to do the trick, he discovers by spying on his daughter and her lover that jealousy will arouse him. Determined to succeed, he connives to bring his wife and his daughter's lover together -- so he can become jealous and sexually virile again. Unfortunately for Kenji, his plan has tragic consequences. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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75% liked it

100 ratings

Critics

67% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.

Directed by: Kon Ichikawa

Release Date: January 1, 1959

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Flixster Reviews (9)

  • gator681
    July 16, 2008
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]In "Odd Obsession," Kenji Kenmochi(Ganjiro Nakamura) is worried about not being able to please his younger wife, Ikuko(Machiko Kyo), sexually anymore, now that he is getting older. One possible solution he has is to use Dr. Kimura(Tatsuya Nakadai) as a focus... read more for his jealousy. Complicating matters is that Dr. Kimura is treating Kenji, while trying to keep it secret from his wife, so as not to worry her. Complicating matters even further, is that Kimura is hoping to marry Toshiko(Junko Kano), his grown daughter...[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]Directed by Kon Ichikawa, "Odd Obsession" is a perversely satisfying morality tale. As with any movie of this subgenre, there is a line that is crossed, in this case it involves desire. While it is not wrong for Kenji to want to satisfy his wife, he also has to remember that growing old is a natural part of life and it is best to do so gracefully. Remember that this movie was made long before the invention of Viagra but practically foresees one of the more popular uses of the internet.[/font]

View All Kagi (Odd Obsession) (The Key) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
October 23, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Ichikawa's more straightforward narrative method doesn't do justice to all the ironies, but this is a still a singular and memorable movie. Full Review

Elliott Stein
August 28, 2006
Elliott Stein, Village Voice

One of his most striking films. Full Review

Dave Kehr
January 1, 2000
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The point is made early; the rest is perversity without passion. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
September 17, 2008
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Never fully aroused me. Full Review

August 28, 2006
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Even more striking than the film's flagrant sexuality and its disconcerting, absurdly comic twists is Kon Ichikawa's stylistic flair -- his use of freeze-frames, distancing insert shots, and unrealist... Full Review

Geoff Andrew
January 26, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

The film cannily shifts through different points of view. Full Review

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