Unagi
(The Eel)


Photo Courtesy of the Cannes Film Festival

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Review, by David Sterritt

Takuro Yamashita, paroled after eight years in prison for killing his wife, starts a new life as barber in a small town outside of Tokyo. His closest companion remains his pet eel, which has kept him company throughout his days behing bars. Freed from confinement, Takiro gradually begins to open up, becoming friendly with the locals who frequent his shop. But his life changes abuptly when he saves Keiko, a young woman he happens upon trying to commit suicide by the river. Keiko, also trying to heal mental wounds, eventually starts to work at Takuro's shop. They both begin to feel a growing attraction for one another. However, incidents occur, pulling them back to their pasts...

Directed by: Shohei Imamura
Written by: Shohei Imamura, Daisuke Tengan, Motofumi Tomikawa, Akira Yoshimura
Starring: Akira Emoto, Misa Shimizu, Koji Yakusho, Fujio Tokita, Mitsuko Baisho
Produced by: Hiso Ino
Original Music by: Shinichirô Ikebe