A movie I’ve recently watched called “Perfect Blue” has affected me deeply in terms of tension in an identity crisis. The anime released in 1997 and directed by Satoshi Kon is based on Yoshikazu Takeichi’s novel “Perfect Blue:Metamorphosis” published in 1991. The fiction mainly focuses on a transition of self-perception and life of a young celebrity,as she figures out many hidden thoughts of the people around her with a complex sense of identity battle she gives.
The movie starts off with the happy and unproblematic days of the main character,Mima,who is part of a music band with her two friends. After she gets a role in a movie,her agency decides that a career change from a pop idol to an actress in a murder series would be better for Mima,in terms of sustanining her fame. However,such a change starts having huge impacts on both herself and her fanbase, including a creepy stalker the control of which cannot be held. The turning points her acting career brings in terms of her confined liberty causes new regrets and reasons to miss her younger-self day by day leads us to such an unexpected plot twist in the end that can be described as a knife in the back.
Despite being an anime,it is certain that the jaw-dropping events and inevitable occurrences coming right after manage to efficiently make the audience drown in an ocean of emotions including doubt and loss of identity and regret,sadness,frustration combined. Moreover,Mima’s relatability as a famous person increases the complexity of the sense of a celebrity’s life. I believe the constant doubts,fears and regrets of the main character,reminiscing on her old self but also yearning for the end of these feelings,are what keep the plot more and more intimidating and compelling. I have to confess,the end was absolutely worth the rollercoaster of emotions the movie puts the audience through,as it is quite anomalous,which makes it worth the wait.
Overall,Perfect Blue,with its incredible narrative,was such an emotional rollercoaster and such an impressive physchological thriller,focusing on the unseen parts of the glacier many of us would like to possess,fame and reputation. I especially appreciated the fiction because of its unique main idea. Would recommend it to every film lover!