Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Key of Life (2012)
"Key of Life" (2012) is a highly entertaining and fresh approach to the hitman genre. The story revolves around Sakurai (Masato Sakai), a struggling actor who unexpectedly finds himself swapping lives with Kondo, a professional hitman suffering from amnesia.
In a peculiar twist of fate, Sakurai takes on Kondo's identity, while the actual hitman is left with a diary penned by Sakurai. Kondo, being a disciplined and motivated individual, believes the diary to be his own. The diary, along with the state of Sakurai's apartment, reveals a life of extreme depression, lack of success, and a noticeable absence of motivation.
Kondo, with his innate discipline and motivation, struggles to comprehend how anyone could lead such a life. He assumes that this diary is his, which leaves him grappling with the stark contrast between his natural disposition and the life depicted in the diary.
Comedy hitman movies are a rare breed, and "Key of Life" certainly stands out as one of the best in this niche genre. This film cleverly intertwines humor with the typically dark themes of hitman films, resulting in a unique cinematic experience that is both engaging and refreshingly different. The performances are top-notch and the storyline consistently keeps you guessing, making it a must-watch for anyone seeking a break from the norm.
- You are under the age of 13, as there are some mature themes and situations.
- You do not enjoy films with a comedic tone.
- You aren't a fan of foreign films (this movie is Japanese).
- You don't have the patience for slower-paced narrative.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "Key of Life?"I mean, here we have a hitman who loses his memory and a failed actor who decides to steal his identity. It's like Freaky Friday, but instead of switching bodies, they're switching careers! And what's with these memory loss plots? If I lost my memory, I'd probably just wake up thinking I'm a guy who didn't lose his memory. The real key of life here seems to be, don't hit your head and forget you're a hitman!
Shall We Dance? (1996):
Directed by Masayuki Suo, "Shall We Dance?" is a charming and funny film about a business man who finds a new passion in ballroom dance. Much like "Key of Life," it boasts the unique blend of comedy and drama that defines many great Japanese films.
A Gentle Breeze in the Village (2007):This film brings forth a more emotional aspect of Japan's culture revolving around the lifestyle of a group of students in the Japanese countryside. It showcases a nice combination of humor and subtlety Wisconsin with a similar touch of eccentric characters as "Key of Life".
My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday (2016):Japanese cinema often creates touching romantic films and "My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday" is one of them. Although its theme is more romantically inclined than "Key of Life," it shares the same depth of character development. It also provides enough twists to keep things intriguing.
Adrift in Tokyo (2007):If you appreciated the original and unexpected journey that "Key of Life" sent you on, you'll likely enjoy "Adrift in Tokyo." This film mixes comedy and contemplative quietness to deliver an entrancing look at Tokyo and its inhabitants.
I Just Didn't Do It (2006):A unique take on the courtroom drama genre by director Masayuki Suo. Just like "Key of Life," this film forms around diverse, quirky characters and boasts of a story line that holds your interest till the end with its clever screenplay and direction.
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