Freeze Me: Viewer Comments

Well, it seems that controversial Japanese director TAKASHI IISHI has finally left his GONIN series behind to try something different. And what better way to break away from the crime/action/gangster genre than to give us a super naughty Category 3 rape/revenge flick with plenty of disturbing imagery and depraved behavior that will most definitely leave a bad taste in your mouth. FREEZE ME takes place five years after our movie's star, the poor Chihiro (played by the awfully pretty actress HARUMI INOUE) has been savagely raped by three men from her college. Not only did they film the entire tragic incident, they would later go on to sell the video tapes to others wishing to see such repulsive acts of sexual violation. She was forced to keep quiet about the whole affair or they would most likely ruin her life since a few of the rapists were actually involved in the minor Yakuza gangs. So after fleeing Tokyo to hopefully start over somewhere else, Chihiro has gotten herself a new apartment, a new job, a new guy, and a new life to live. But all that's about to fall apart and come crashing down around her when one of the rapists finds her again after all these years. And believe it or not, he's the one that started the whole mess to begin with. Now he's back for a little nookie from an old sweetheart, whether she's willing to give it up or not. He's also invited the other two guys as well to join in but they won't be arriving until later. So it's just him and her for now. And it's NOT going to be fun for Chihiro, that's for sure. She's beaten, humiliated, and raped again. Later the next day, our dear Chihiro decides that something has to be done. Things NEED to change! She catches him in the shower and commences to pummel the asshole with a super heavy jug of water. He puts up a pretty good fight, nearly drowning her to death in the tub, but after the few earlier well placed head shots, he looses consciousness and that's that. Now, what to do with the body? Oh, let's stick it in the freezer for the time being and decide what to do about it later. Well, just as things are starting to look up for our heroine, the second fella from the group stops by to play, er, I mean pay her a visit. Of course, this time she's prepared so she gets him drunk and before he can make any moves on her, she smashes the dude's head open with a hammer. Hmmm, what to do with THIS body? Her kitchen frig is too small to cram two grown men in there so she orders a couple of portable stand-alone freezers. Now you're starting to get the picture, right? And hence the name of the movie as well. And later, well, you guessed it, the third guy shows up and this one's a real son of a bitch too. He's just outta prison and looking for love. So after being brutally raped once again, she finally manages to get him in a vulnerable situation and takes care of business and that's the end of him. Oh, I almost forgot to mention, it also gives her the chance to order another freezer. But running all three at the same time causes her breakers to trip. Sacrificing the air-conditioner and other electrical appliances, she's able to keep them all up and running to preserve her "friends". She even comments that they were monsters in life but are quite beautiful when frozen in death. Well, by now, you'd think her boyfriend (actor NAOTO TAKENAKA) would start to suspect something was up. She's lost lots of weight, missed work, and gotten this crazed look about her (can you blame her?). And that's where I'll stop this review. I believe that anything else would give away too much and certainly spoil it for those wishing to see this movie. Even though the subject matter isn't for everyone, it is a rather good movie where you'll find yourself rooting for Chihiro all the way. And she's a excellent actress too, I must add, because her ability to "sell" the scenes where she's bullied, tormented, and molested are quite unnerving and can very easily get under your skin to make you feel rather uncomfortable even for those of us who have seen far worse on the TV screen in terms of deviant sexual violence. She honestly makes you feel sorry for her situation and you hope it all works out in the end. But, of course, this is the Asian Cinema, and nothing EVER works out for the best. And with a surprise ending, the movie finishes leaving behind a nasty residue that will probably make you wonder why you ever wanted to see a film about rape and revenge anyway. But it's good stuff, none-the-less.