Japanese Movie - Helter Skelter Special Edition (2DVDS) [Japan DVD] BIBJ-8227

I don't like the fact that the film was entitled "Helter Skelter." The rise, the reign, and the fall of Lilico was not a series of chaotic and extraordinary events, but rather an ordinary sequence of occurrences with a predictable outcome. Lilico, after all, is the embodiment of postmodern capitalism -- she is yet another casualty of the beauty industry, and she certainly won't be the last. The basis of the film is simply the fact that Lilico is an image rather than an actual human being. I wanted to write that Lilico's life was the stuff of Shakespearean magnitude, but to write that would constitute an inaccuracy. As her downward spiral in the "deep pit" transpired, I did not feel sorrow or pity for her, nor did I derive satisfaction that perhaps she had finally received her comeuppance. Instead, I felt nothing. I realized that the basis of her existence is the fact the she is a nonentity. Nonetheless, Lilico's "life" goes on.Certainly, kudos should be extended to Erika Sawajiri for her ability to bring Lilico to the silver screen. Ms. Sawajiri is to be commended for her ability to expand her repertoire of character roles as Lilico can best be understood as the very antithesis of Aya [1 Litre of Tears]. Kudos should also be extended to Mika Ninagawa, whose use of neo-psychedelic imagery and vivid colors provide a perfect setting for the LIlico persona in the make believe world of media advertising. Moreover, the array of night time scenes and the use of torrential rain serve to accentuate Lilico's plight as her pseudo existence is coming undone and she confronts harsh reality.Life imitates art. "Helter Skelter" is in great need of a sequel. One idea that I have is that a former supermodel having aged out of the industry would subsequently live vicariously through her lookalike teenage daughter, who is on the verge of supermodel superstardom. Oh wait, that's already been done in real life with Cindy and Kaia. Another possibility is that a Ukrainian beauty queen contending with the symptomology of schizophrenia reinvents herself by having countless cosmetic surgeries. She is transformed into a human Barbie doll. The internet could disseminate a myriad of images of the human Barbie living her Barbie life in her Barbie world. Forget it, that too has already been done in the real world; I'm referring, of course, to Valeria. Such is the stuff of "Helter Skelter" -- that is to say, A Day in the Life.

Loved the cinematography and styling. However the music choice was quite jarring and there were so many side plots/character decisions that went nowhere and contributed nothing to the storyline that I feel were only included to be shocking. Not my cup of tea.