MovieChat Forums > Sennen joyû (2002) Discussion > This movie hurts my head.

This movie hurts my head.

posted 8 years ago by PrKiD2493
3 replies | jump to latest

It's a beautifully animated film, but I just don't get it. Never have, and I probably never will. I'm hoping maybe someone, if anyone could just explain it to me.

Okay, so here's what I do know: Chiyoko recounts her career as an actress, a profession she got into in the pursuit of a man she "loves" who left her a key to "the most important thing there is." I guess she combines this story of her life into the plots of the various movies she starred in (though that's never really explained).

Yeah, I just don't really understand the plot. But maybe we aren't supposed to? This would have saved me years of frustration if that was the case.

I'm a fan of Kon's other works (Tokyo Godfathers and Paprika), but this is the damnedest film for me.

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Years? Really?

Chiyoko recounts her career as an actress, a profession she got into in the pursuit of a man she "loves" who left her a key to "the most important thing there is."

Bingo. There you go.

I guess she combines this story of her life into the plots of the various movies she starred in (though that's never really explained).

Her film roles reflect her chasing the man she loves, yes.

Yeah, I just don't really understand the plot.

You actually do. I don't see where your confusion is.

I'm a fan of Kon's other works (Tokyo Godfathers and Paprika), but this is the damnedest film for me.

Wait'll you watch Paranoia Agent.

Can't stop the signal.

[–] PrKiD2493 8 years ago

Yes. Years. I first saw it when I was 10 years old and still don't get it any more than I did then (I'm now 22).

I guess where I'm lost is how her movies tie into her life story. Do all of her movies have the same plot of this girl chasing after this guy? Is it more of a metaphor for something?

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Do all of her movies have the same plot of this girl chasing after this guy?

Yes. That seems to be the case. Now, whether she intentionally chose those movie roles or if it was a coincidence, that's up to the viewer to decide.

Her movies are a metaphor for her chasing the man she loves. It's done this way to reinforce the chase, that she never stopped running after him. But also, it was to make the movie much more visually interesting for the audience as we hop from genre to genre.

One thing that Satoshi Kon loves to do is to keep the audience guessing as to what is real and what isn't. Paprika does that when it comes to the dream world, but this movie and Perfect Blue (for a very good reason) do it even better.

Can't stop the signal.