Evil Does Not Exist

10/11/2023

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://fandomwire.com/evil-does-not-exist-bfi-london-film-festival-review-technically-brilliant-yet-unimpactful/ "Evil Does Not Exist is a disappointing slow-burn that fails to offer a fitting, impactful, complete study of the genuinely interesting central themes linked to nature, sense of community, simplicity of life, and industrial profit fixation. Technically, no faults: Ryusuke Hamaguchi has a superb crew, using lovely cinematography and an atmospheric score to create an immersive, intricate environment. The big problem lies in the filmmaker's overconfidence in the audience to develop and finish his own story and respective character arcs, culminating in a disconcertingly shocking, strangely empty ending." Rating: C

4/6/2024

The initial few scenes here will give you an idea as to the pace of what's to follow. "Takumi" (Hitoshi Omika) is cutting logs for firewood, then he is seen laboriously ladling water into plastic bottles. His is a naturally structured existence that is driven by what's needed to stay fed, warm and watered. It's not quite a rustic life, though, there are plenty of mod cons - cars, electricity and the like, and his curious daughter "Hana" (Ryo Nishikawa) goes to the local school from where he regularly forgets to pick her up! The local planners and a talent agency have cottoned on to the beauty of this unspoilt area and have decided it could be ideal for a clamping site. A town meeting is organised and two city-folks turn up with precious little idea as to the impact their plans might have.