Viewed on DVD. Score = seven (7) stars; subtitles/translations = four (4) stars. (Editorial Note: The horror of witnessing nuclear annihilation is impossible to image (at least it is for me). The horror of just visiting holocaust museums in Hiroshima and/or Nagasaki may leave you depressed for days (like it did me).) Director Shohei Imamura tries mightily (and within budget) to re-image Hiroshima's vaporization, but soon moves on from this impossible task to more familiar (and more-or-less predictable) territory by concocting a post apocalyptic Shomin-Geki (house drama) tale about the lives and deaths of nuclear-attack survivors. But this, of course, is far from the usual Shomin-Geki trivia of old. Those suffering from radiation poisoning are shunned (even made fun of) by the healthy, as survivors seem to be "insufficiently" Japanese! Traditional match makers have to deal with the very real possibility that their prospective grooms and/or brides may die suddenly and without warning (even after having survived for many years)! The film contains many more riveting vignettes for those tying to some how image what it might be like to survive a nuclear blast. Cinematography (semi wide screen, black and white) is good, but scene lighting is a bit on the dark side. Restoration is fine. The film's score is performed by a mid-sized orchestra that adds much to the on-screen drama. Dialog subtitles appear at the bottom of the screen, and in two colors when two characters are chatting. This is a nice touch, but translations are often too long given their fast flash rate. Expository information (sometimes superfluous) appears at the top of the screen in white. This dual use of data streams is a great concept, but very poorly executed. Expository data streams also are often too long given their fast flash rate. And they frequently compete with dialog subtitles for the viewer's divided attention. Data-overload city! (Both or either one can be turned off.) Viewing this movie is far from a fun experience, but, nonetheless, a recommended--if not necessary--one. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
Review of Black Rain
