2LDK: Reviews

What does 2LDK stand for? As I found out, it isn't 2 Lesbians Disrobing Kimonos. It actually stands for something much more mundane: 2 bedrooms, a Living room, Dining room and a Kitchen. I could be slightly wrong about that, but you get the idea.

As far as I understand it, directors Yukihiko Tsutsumi and Ryuhei Kitamura were issued a challenge by some producer guy to each make a 'duel' film. The rules were that it had to be completed in 1 week, have only 2 cast members, be set in one location, and be shot in a linear fashion (all the scenes shot in order - 99.9% of all movies shoot their scenes out of order for the sake of economy and logistics).

Ryuhei Kitamura's project was Aragami (which I haven't seen) and Tsutsumi's was 2LDK. Word on the street, my street, anyway, is that Tsutsumi's 2LDK won. Of course winning a battle of movie making is subjective. I believe Kitamura's Aragami was a more traditional style duel with swords and all that. Tsutsumi took an unexpected approach. At least, I didn't expect it. But then, I didn't know anything about the challenge at the time, so how could I?

When I popped 2LDK into my DVD player, the first thing I noticed was that it was shot on DV as opposed to film and looked pretty grainy due to the digital artifacts. I was put off right away. I have to say I thought it looked downright terrible. When I realized this supposed duel was going to take place all in one setting, my hopes were further dashed. I accepted the fact that this was an experiment of sorts, but I also wanted to be entertained.

I almost didn't bother watching it, since I got interrupted near the beginning, and that is the perfect situation for me to not bother returning to finish a movie that I was completely unimpressed with. However, I did give it another go, and I'm very glad I did.

Two roommates, Nozomi and Lana, are up for the same acting role, and if memory serves, up for the same boyfriend who could be influential in their respective goals. Nozomi is from the country, prides herself on talent over looks but is a little anal when it comes to keeping tabs on who is eating who's food etc.. Lana is more materialistic, looks more attractive in a model kind of way, and doesn't see the big deal about eating someone's last box of Kraft dinner. The two discuss the acting part (they've both been informed that it is between the two of them), and with the humorous use of duel narration, contradict their spoken words to each other with their thoughts that we get to hear aloud. This contradiction doesn't last, though, as the girls become more and more irritated and competitive, and just plain old bitchy towards one another. Tensions build to say the least.

How far do the girls go in expressing their mutual disdain? Let's just say things get rather physical, in a bad way (remember what I said 2LDK does NOT stand for!). I'll be really cool and not give too much away. There are many things one might find in a house, electrically powered or otherwise with which to do your roommate harm. Nozomi and Lana certainly use their imaginations in this regard.

If you can't tell, there is a strong element of dark humor running through 2LDK. There is also a strong element of extreme violence to the point of almost being too much. Being a movie, and me liking this sort of thing, it never quite reaches 'too much', except in a good, violent and entertaining way. You have to see this to believe it.

Do I recommend this movie? To rent: if you are intrigued by what you've read so far, definitely rent it if you can find it. I'm not sure if it is rare on the video store shelves or not. I rented my copy from my local video store that specializes in carrying everything ever made. To buy: this is an odd little movie, and I think it is worth a buy, but I can't advise the average person to do so. If you are a collector of Asian films, or 'important' films, then I think this title would be a must for anyone's collection. If you want something epic, with a high-gloss finish, I don't think this is it. Would I buy it? When I find a good price, it is definitely on my list of future purchases. Yes, I really do have such a list.

DO NOT BUY THIS FILM IF: You think that girls should just get along, aside from the occasional tickle fight in their underwear that gets a little out of hand, and feelings are hurt, but they make up and give each other back rubs.

RECOMMENDATION: For collectors of Asian cinema: definitely. For fans of extreme violence and dark humor: probably. For fans of romantic comedies starring Sandra Bullock: maybe not so much.

A deceptively simple catfight comedy which unfolds with only two characters, entirely within the confines of their shared apartment (the film's title is the Japanese abbreviation for a 2-bedroom apartment with Living Room, Dining Room, and Kitchen), 2LDK packs a startling amount of visual inventiveness, razor-sharp wit, and sheer filmmaking fervor into its brief running time. An absurdist allegory for anyone with roommate difficulties, 2LDK involves two struggling actresses, small town girl Kimi and seasoned glam chick Lana, sharing a Tokyo apartment and competing for the same role in a new film (and for the same man). When petty squabbles turn into fits of rage, their cohabitation problems get much worse than labeling food in the refrigerator: by the time they break out the power tools and electrocution devices, it's clear that these two ladies have forfeited a lot more than their security deposit. 2LDK director Yukihiko Tsutsumi, one of Japan’s most promising new filmmakers, pushes his film's premise to the extreme, making this twisted black comedy a little gem not to be missed.