The Happiness of the Katakuris - Film Review
A Horror-Comedy From Japanese Director Takashi Miike
Oct 21, 2009
Director Takashi Miike's films have followed a trend of extreme violence, black comedy, and horror. He gained a cult following in the west with such films as Audition (1999) and Ichi the Killer (2001), both gruesome and cringe-inducing, and has seen his horror film, One Missed Call (2003), remade in America.
The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001) is a slight detour from his usual films. Takashi Miike plays around with nearly every genre to create this wildly surreal and downright weird film.
Plot Synopsis
The Happiness of the Katakuris follows an average family who has moved out into the countryside. Having lost his job, the father (played by Kenji Sawada) uses what money they have left to open a bed and breakfast. Patience grows thin and desperation sets in as it appears that no guests will ever come. But their waiting pays off and soon they have their first guest. Too bad they find him dead the next morning. As the film progresses, more guests arrive and the family discovers a disturbing trend in that everyone that stays ends up dead through no fault of their own. In order to save their business the family rallies together and decides to bury the bodies and hide the truth.
A Genre-Defying Film
There really isn't a better way to describe the film than the tagline on the DVD cover, "The Sound of Music meets Dawn of the Dead". There's something for everybody or perhaps nothing for anybody. The film's charm as an unconventional blend of styles and genres can also detract from the experience and the film becomes simple novelty.
The highlight of the film is the over-the-top musical numbers. They seem to creep up whenever they like, especially the first song, which can easily catch the viewer off-guard. Miike gets points for having the zombies in this film sing and dance; it's not something that any film can pull off. Whether its a lively love song, a karaoke sing along, or a sweet family chorus, each song is ridiculous to the point that it's hard not to smirk.
Have Fun with It
It is clear from the beginning that Takashi Miike is having fun with this film. He is not out to shock or impress like he does with his other films. The Happiness of the Katakuris is lighthearted, meant to entertain rather than to engage. It's best to just go along with the film. Don't question it because no, it doesn't need to make sense to be enjoyable. Just have fun with it.
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