隣人13号 (Rinjin Jūsan-Gō / The Neighbour No. 13 is about a peaceful, young man named Murasaki Juzo (Oguri Shun) who had been horribly bullied as a child, from eating bugs to having acid over his face and in his eye, leaving him traumatized. Now he's older and just got a new job at a construction company. Unfortunately, he finds out his boss, Toru Akai (Hirofumi Arai), is the kid who used to bully him, and what's worse is that his boss has just moved into the apartment above him. His boss doesn't remember who Juzo is, but it seems his bullying ways have not faded away. He constantly picks on Juzo at work. All the pent up anger inside of Juzo manifests itself as 13 – Juzo's other self (Nakamura Shido). It seems that Juzo has been a schizophrenic for some time, but nothing really happened until his childhood traumatizer kicked the switch. Now 13 is going around eliminating anyone and everyone around him.
The story isn’t really scary but what makes it scary that this can actually happen. Bullying can either end up in suicide or this! And though this kind of story has been done so much, the ending made a difference. Confusing but it would make sense if you think about it.
There wasn’t much music in this which makes it a little bit boring but having no music does add up to the suspense. There were also a lot of times that the characters just pose for about 5 -10 seconds and it feels like it makes the story really slow. There were weird scenes too but again, it would make sense in the end. The switch between Juzo and 13 is a bit confusing but at least you would know which personality is which.
The actors are all good nothing to comment about it. Takashii Miike, an acclaimed director, also made a cameo.
Overall, it’s all good! This story is based on the manga written by Santa Inoue, and directed by Yasuo Inoue
For Oguri Shun fans this will be such a treat! Seriously, Ogushun with no clothes?! (This makes me sound like a perv ne? =_=)
originally posted: December 14, 2010
