Warning : this film may cause you to at least look sideways at your doctor during your next checkup.

Several things puzzle me about this film. For one, what on earth all these women see in this guy ? He's a grade-A creep. For two, how could he get away with so many murders ? I don't think the Japanese police are quite as dimwitted as they appear here.

These concerns aside, this is pretty good and involving journey into the psyche of a highly corrupted character. Nearly everyone in this story is of dodgy character, therefore this movie could fairly be called film noir. The story is, of course, pretty racy, with women disrobing and getting into bed with Doc Toya all over the place. The unraveling of his corrupt character takes up the long second half, and is pretty harrowing.

Overall, not a classic, but worth watching.

Japanese cinema is celebrated for its refined minimalist dramas and avant-garde experimentation; it also introduced popular genres like jidaigeki (samurai epics), kaiju, and anime. Across both high art and mass entertainment, it often explores morality, impermanence, and the pressures of modern life.

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The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

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The mystery genre features the investigation and solving of a puzzle, typically a crime or an enigmatic event. Mysteries are known for their suspenseful narratives, intricate plots, and the challenge they present to readers or viewers to piece together clues and solve the central mystery alongside the characters.

Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in Chinatown (1974)

A selfish playboy uses rich women to pay off his debts. Divorcing his wife and marrying the woman he loves throws him into a spiral of destruction.

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"The Gentlemen" and "Slow Horses" return this fall, while the "Reacher" spin-off series "Neagley" makes its debut. See our guide of the biggest Fall TV and streaming releases.

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