Confessions (2010)

I am speechless. I can't even express how I feel. This whole movie was a mind game, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So many events, so many lives, but one purpose. I wish to write something as dark and meaningful like this someday.

I doubted that I would like this movie at first. The dialogue in the first scene was long. But I came to understand it was important. I don't regret the stubbornness I had to sit through that particular scene. Then came the confessions. Just...wow! What a brilliant scheme! This was a really clever one.

The music was very good and it achieved the desired effect. Even added an artistic tinge.

The characters were very well portrayed. I even sympathized with the worst of them (psycho kid). Had a conflicting sense of hating the things he did and feeling sorry for his situation.

I hold great admiration to the writer of this movie. Thank you, this actually had everything I ever wanted to see in a movie. It leaves a deep impression that I won't be able to shake off anytime soon.

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Based on the bestselling novel of 2008 ‘Kokuhaku’ by Kanae Minato, ‘Confessions’ is a dark, gripping psychological tale that is sure to keep you on your toes.
The movie starts off rather slow with Yoko Moriguchi (Takako Matsu), a middle school teacher, delivering a farewell speech to her students, declaring the day to be her last day at school. Her students, however, seem to be less concerned and engage themselves in gossips, arguments, texting and other activities. Moriguchi nonetheless continues with her speech, recounting her past— her affair with a teacher, how he contracted AIDS and passed away, her pregnancy, her decision to live as a single mother, and the tragic death of her dear daughter. It is only when she reveals something shattering that she manages to catch the attention of her students, leaving them gaping and utterly shocked. She tells them that she believes her daughter’s death was not just a mere accident as claimed by the police but rather a murder, and that the murderers are present in the very class among them. What’s more, she notifies them that she had injected HIV tainted blood into the milk that the murderers, her very own students, whom she has labeled as A and B previously drank. And this shocking declaration is enough to send chaos across the class, leaving A and B extremely panicky and terrified.

From the very beginning, this movie creates a mystifying atmosphere which gives us, the viewers, the hint of something very big and unpredictable lying ahead. And then as the story unfolds, we are taken to the world of the victims of the revenge and those related to them, and get a clear cut picture of the respective motives which drove A and B to commit something as dreadful as murder. The movie also depicts human emotions such as angst, fear, loneliness, hysteria, pride and horror in a very realistic manner and a very few movies achieve that, we all know.
Now coming to the cast, I’m speechless. Takako Matsu just blew me away with her superb acting. She played her role brilliantly, and now it’s difficult for me to imagine some other actress performing in her place as the character ‘Yoko Moriguchi’. I am looking forward to watching more movies starring her. The supporting characters also had done an amazing job. Each of them really got into their respective character.
They say what you see depends on what you’re looking for. I was looking for nothing much to begin with but the visuals blew me away. The visuals are what makes this movie effective and dynamic. Watch the movie and you will know what I mean.
Speaking of the OST, it is good. It is not something revolutionary but that’s all right. I don’t remember any particular song or music except the one that played in the beginning.

All in all, ‘Confessions’ is a brilliant piece of psychological thrill with a tinge of tragedy and drama. You ought to grab this one if you like psychological thrillers, and even if you don’t and want to have a taste of them, you may begin with this one.

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Story - Very interesting story. At first you may find it boring, but as you go deeper on the story, you will understand it. How much important life to all of us! And don't take it for granted. You may find some scenes very disturbing but you will appreciate the things they want us to learn.
Acting/Cast - I'm very satisfied with the acting, even though there are young kids who portray the roles, they are really great!
Music - Songs were really fit in every scenes.
Rewatch Value - I gave it a perfect score, 'cos definitely this movie will be listed as one of my favorites, so I will watch it all over again. :)
Overall - Perfect! I really like this movie, A must watch!

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While watching this movie, I got so absorbed in it I was unaware of my surroundings. Just when I thought I lost my interest in revenge stories, this movie wakes it up again. It also explore how society deals with its kids, specially at that difficult age.

The story is simple. A teacher's daughter gets killed, and the culprit are her students. She teaches them a vicious lesson, one they might never get up from, and they will certainly not forget.

Ignorance is when you think you know it all. Thats why teenagers tend to be ignorant and look down on adult. I liked that she managed to show them who's boss. But in doing so, you feel that she lost her humanity. She didn't teach them out of care, she hates them but just doesn't want that crime to be forgotten. The children themselves, their thirst for attention blinds them from the crimes they do. They have no conscience at all. To be look up to as cool, they take it on the weaker, like cowards. It reminds me of an essay I read some time before where it says that children are more dangerous than adult, because they have no morality. They can do the worst of crimes and not realize its atrocity. Basically when they do those kind of crimes, they should be punished like adult and face the consequences.

The acting from Matsu Takako was top notch. I specially liked Kaoru Fujiwara;s acting her. The cast is generally great. Okada Masaki's character was plain annoying, because he was meant to be lol.

I loved LOVED the direction here. The use of flashbacks, the skip from one flashback to another (as if watching an old family video) during conversations and monologues, the lighting and effects, the colours of them moving, was used effectively and perfectly. I think its what made the movie stand out and what absorbed me in that movie. The music used is no exception, setting the mood perfectly.

As a psychological thriller, it carries the task perfectly without being a burden to watch. You're never thinking "I just want to know the ending of it". It might not be to everyone's taste, but Its definitely worth the watch ;)

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I began watching this movie because of Okada Masaki, an actor whom caught my attention by being brilliant in most of his roles (He has a minor role in this movie but still managed to get an acting nominee for best supporting role). What made me keep watching was the thrilling story, something I did not expect (I didn't even read the synopsis before I began watching), the dark feeling and the overall fantastic actors. One would not think that 37 middle school students can create such an atmosphere. The woman who played the main character, Takako Matsu, was amazing in her role. But, let me quote "let's not forget the amazing ensemble cast of young Japanese actors who ultimately steal the show from Matsu's cold as ice teacher with their riveting performances as existential youth gone wrong".

This masterpiece was completed by their use of Radiohead's Last Flowers.

All I can say is: "Watch and be amazed" because this will mess with you.

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Brilliant. Confessions. A movie that I came across, I honestly didn't expect to like it but Confessions was an amazing movie, from the beginning to end. Just when you think you've figured out what happened a few minutes pass by and you realize you haven't. It's a movie where you hear confessions from different people including students and as you hear every little detail you realize that they were in fact not innocent at all and that they had a dark side to them. You hear every confession and then, at the end of the movie, you put all the pieces together and you have what really happened or what I should say what happened 'behind the scenes.' By the end of the movie I had but one question, who should I pity because everyone had a part in the crime. And the end of the movie, it was wrapped up magnificently.
What you thought was, was not.

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The ratings in each aspect have not been given out randomly. The movie 'Confessions' is well worthy of having made it to the shortlist at the Academy Awards. This movie is no joke. It is brilliant, daring and creative. Not to mention seriously dark and twisted. This has to be one of the best psychological thrillers I have watched till date.

Simply put, it blew me away. It hardly took 10 minutes to get into the mood of the film and from then on it goes at a very fast pace. You might have to watch every scene properly and then correlate them as each mystery keeps unfolding. Most of all, it forces you to think and really boggles your mind. I am highly impressed by the entire story. It is the perfect blend of mystery, tragedy, psychology and violence. Probably the best combination I have seen in a very long time.

The plot revolves around a middle school teacher whose daughter has died and she suspects that the students of her class have murdered her daughter. To seek revenge, she tricks them into drinking milk infected with HIV-blood. And then panic ensues, and all the closeted mysteries come out in the open. One by one, we see what happened exactly and why. The whole scenarios have been linked with each other very well. Although it gives a feeling of being too fictional at times, psychopaths are definitely known to exist in real life.

Though I could predict some part of it, rest of it was much more complex than I anticipated. It also raises very deep issues like that of importance of life and valuing it. Overall, this movie is thought provoking. You might question a lot of things that happen commonly. Also, your point of view on juvenile law and crimes committed by children might change (because mine did). The characters and their actions in this film are quite complicated.

The direction and handling of the film was excellent. It had very impressive visuals and editing. The ending of the film was as good as the rest of the film. It gives you enough to feel satisfied and I smiled at the very last dialogue. It has some graphic scenes too, but they didn't bother me much.

I say, if you're up for something highly daring and different then definitely give this movie a go. It will not disappoint a bit. If you do not like experimenting too much, then skip this movie altogether. Because if you cannot handle certain topics and issues raised in this film, then it might be a horrible experience for you.

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Unpredictable, unexpected, crazy, mind-blowing movie! I loved the fact that it kept me guessing what will happen next with the characters and how the story would end. Simple mind-blowing movie that will make you think of the value of life. I love the acting of the characters not only the teacher but also the two students. Full of emotions and lessons learned. It will leave you pondering about life so it also counts as inspirational in a sense because it shows you a side of reality as well. At first, it may seem dragging or boring but as you watch the story it certainly has meaning and you will come to understand what the story is all about. I could watch it again and I would definitely recommend this to those who like psychological thrillers.

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the title itself raises so many questions in our minds when we first look at this movie.This movie is not for the faint hearted so beware.It shocked and surprised me.

The story is pretty original and grips one at the first moment itself.In the first half an hour it provides us with the premise of what will follow later and ties it with a good ribbon because we think tht's wht this movie will be.About finding the murderer and revenge,but its not.Its this dark psychological thriller which will stifle you and probably wring out so many emotions form you that faith in humanity will be shaken.where does one draw a line at cruelty or total evil?
This movie deals with so different issues which hardly anyone ever dares to do
Takako Matsu as yori Moriguchi is simply brilliant.The same goes for these child actors for whom performing the role will be something so dark that probably they will remember this role for a long long time.The story uses lots of going backwards and forwards so one has to piece all the info at the right place.Its pretty easy enough to follow.What's not is the twisted way evrything takes place.
Its so disturbingas it goes deep into the dark souls of humans that its hard to continue watching.but one does.there is not that much violence as to be tear inducing but what is,is the total cold bloodedness of the whole affair.
Also the way a mother protects her child.One does by having her revenge,the other wanting to kill her son for she hasnt raised him right and other who abandons one for the sake of her career.What does all this evilness come down to.The way a child is raise or is it the twisted mind in a child that's there the moment they are born
It also tells us that life is precious and not to be used nonchalantly but then again what is LIFE?

Everybody around in this movie is using it for fun,for revenge and for bullying and for what not.All it comes down to is how much we value other's life so as not to think we can murder them and get away with it.It sure changed my opinions about certain things like how the juvenile law could be twisted and used in the murderer's favour and how crimes could go unnoticed or unpunished just because it was a child who did it

They say god lives in children but what has it all come down to.Its come down to teenage problems of attention seeking and being unique an being popular so they do all these crimes.It raised questions and left me wondering around for there answers

The soundtracks throughout this movie are so fitting that it ncreases the intense way its shot.the slow songs mixed in with the slow motion just increases the cinematography to the level where its just pure beauty.Its dark.The way its shot but the play of water on the umbrella and many other brilliant scene are enough to say that il be stalking this director for sure..:D


Watch this if one is in the emood of some crazy and dark thriller which delves ito the deeper recesses of minds and leaves us feeling exhausted and made to questions our beliefs.Watch it for its pure daring or for your own understanding of the human psyche.Im sure you won't be dissapointed..:)

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By far one of the best and most original revenge movies I've seen in a long while.

There's no gratuitous violence or gore. This is intelligent fare, complex and visceral as only the Japanese can make. The lead actress was amazing in her role. Even if you can't relate to her situation as a mother, if you're not one yourself, her devastating experience is gut-wrenching enough to inspire horror and torment. Through her heartbreaking soft-spoken recollections of her daughter you could feel how deeply entrenched her pain was, her simmering rage at the senseless act that had befallen her beloved child. In short, she was a very sympathetic figure, and the psychological mayhem she unleashed on the perpetrators in pursuit of revenge seemed poetically justified against the backdrop of the film's visually stunning mosaic.

As with many Japanese films I've seen of late, Confessions was slow to build, but raged toward a pulsating climax by the end of the second act. Dark and artistically fortified by the director's unique eye for detail the film will challenge any perceptions you ever had, if any, about juvenile homicide.

With that said Confessions fell short of a perfect 10 for me because I felt it was trying too hard to be too many things at once. It did not achieve a perfect balance between art and story. Instead one is often sacrificed in pursuit of the other at varying points in the film. The best art movies are those that are able to combine both art and story seamlessly (see movies like 3-iron or In The Mood For Love). At times I felt certain scenes in Confessions were included to fortify its artistic merit but not necessarily essential to the story at hand.

The film deserves every accolade, however, for breathing new life into the revenge sub-genre, especially if your previous consumption has been mostly western fare. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a thinking (wo)man's film.

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I've finished this movie a few seconds ago. Just now, the credits are still playing in the background. At the end, I noticed tears running down my cheek and creeps are all over my body because of shock. No joke.

I watched the movie and thought about how psychic all those characters are. But the most terrible thing is that I could totally understand them. Sometimes I sat there thinking "I would feel the same way as you do now". After realizing, I was even more shocked.

In the beginning the plot didn't seem that outstanding. But the more you watch, the more facts are added. The more you know what really happened. You can look behind the mask everybody is wearing to protect themselves from the truth.

I believe a very important thing about this movie is that you see how every single person thinks about their situation. It's not like there is THE main person, but everyone plays THE most important role. Of course the teacher stands in the center, but she alone wouldn't make any sense. Her acting AND the people around her made the movie to what it is now. If you watched a while, you'll know exactly what I mean.

I guess those 146 minutes showed me the difference between people. Their way of thinking, their way of acting and the way they feel deep in their hearts are totally different of each other, even though it seems like they're much alike.

To be honest, the description didn't engange my interest at all. The only reason I watched it was because of a special movie event once in a year where movies are shown for free. I wanted to watch as many movies as possible, but ended up watching just 2 all in all. Since then a poster is hanging on my wall with the movie cover of "Confessions", reminding me to watch it someday. Well, I did today and now I can say it was the right decision.
I can just highly recommend this movie. It's worth it and should DEFINITELY be watched!!

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