Review: Achilles and Tortoise

I saw and enjoyed a movie called Brother back at the 2000 festival and thought I'd see the latest film from writer/director/actor Takeshi Kitano, aka "Beat Takeshi". Kitano first gained fame as a stand-up comic back in late 70's Japan. By 1980, Kitano was appearing in films, writing scripts beginning in 1985 and directed his first film in 1989.


It follows easily that his films have an element of comedy. Kitano's sense of humor is approximately the opposite of slapstick. He plays it straight, showing little emotion. Often the humor is in his lack of reaction, and in his lack of self-awareness, particularly in relation to his own absurdity.

For Achilles and Tortoise, Kitano takes on the art world. The movie begins with someone telling a student of the paradox of Achilles and the Tortoise, which I think is philosophical bunk. But that's just my opinion. I'm not sure what this has to do with the movie, other than the title. My brain is a little tired, so perhaps it'll come to me later.

We pick up the life of Machisu as a boy. His father is a wealthy businessman who appreciates art, but fails to understand it. He encourages Machisu to become a painter, convinced he has talent. Machisu, who lacks both talent and inspiration, does have interminable will, and he paints until the cows come home, which apparently they never do. He's particularly fond of chickens.

Machisu's father goes bankrupt and commits suicide. Penniless, his step mother sends Machisu to live with his uncle, who is far less supportive of his art ambitions.

It is in his older adult years that Kitano takes over the role of Machisu. He marries the one woman who supports his endeavors, and they have a daughter. By her teen years, she is thoroughly embarrassed and leaves home to become a prostitute.

Machisu tries to sell his works through a local art dealer, who is never satisfied enough to actually try to sell anything. And Machisu tries just about everything, most often mimicking the likes of Moet, Seurat, Renior, Munch, and Warhol.

The bulk of the movie is spent by Kitano brainstorming ways to poke fun at modern artists art dealers, and their patrons and the world in which they thrive. A lot of the gags are funny, but they grow stale after a while, as there doesn't seem to be any point to the story. Maybe that was Kitano's intention, maybe it wasn't. It was good for a few laughs, but the movie just didn't really work for me. My imdb rating: 6/10.