Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2009

This rather standard psychological thriller is of interest chiefly because of its pedigree—the original story is by the esteemed novelist Junichiro Tanizaki. The first film version appeared in 1964, when Tetsuji Takechi, then a well-known theater director, decided to try his hand at making pinku (soft-core porn) flicks. Thus, Takechi’s second career was born. In 1981, the director remade his own film with more risqué visuals, and followed that up with Part 2 in ’87. Now we have a third remake, co-directed by Kyoko Aizome, the main female object of the camera’s lust in the previous two versions. This time around, the focus is on the psychological trials of protagonist Kurahashi (Shunsuke Osaka), a cop drawn into the mysterious world of a woman whose house is burglarized. There’s nothing groundbreaking here, but the latest iteration of Hakujitsumu does have some twisty, impressionistic moments. (80 min)