The Pillow Book

Calligraphy on the human body.

This must be what "art house films" are like

A surprising number of breasts and bare dicks swinging, a mix of Japanese and English, tradition, calligraphy and weird writing on people. It wasn't unenjoyable (or necessarily enjoyable) it was just strange (supported by some strange scenes and sound mixing). It's the kind of movie I could expect to see Malcolm McDowell in, and certainly gave me a different perspective of Ewan McGregor (and an awareness of just how many things McGregor has been in over his career!). Its also a reminder of how Vivian Wu lives in two worlds and seems comfortable moving between them.

Overall, I don't know. I suspect this wasn't made for people like me. I just can't envisage wo it was made for. In fact, I suspect I would find the back story would be more interesting than the movie itself...