ODD OBSESSION
[KAGI] [鍵]
Kon Ichikawa’s ODD OBSESSION is a strange dark comedy on a then-forbidden subject — impotence, and jealousy as a cure for it. The movie explores the links between love, jealousy and rage, all from the standpoint of Kenji Kenmochi (Ganjirō Nakamura), the middle-aged husband of the younger Ikuko (Machiko Kyō), who finds her youth intimidating to the point of sexual paralysis. His solution involves introducing his daughter’s lover (Tatsuya Nakadai, in an early role) to Ikuko, who already fancies the younger man. The ensuing farce plays against colorful yet subdued widescreen compositions by cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa. (Note courtesy of Janus Films.) DIR/SCR Kon Ichikawa; SCR Keiji Hasebe, Natto Wada, from the novel “The Key” by Jun’ichirō Tanizaki; PROD Masaichi Nagata. Japan, 1959, color, 107 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. NOT RATED
In Memoriam: Tatsuya Nakadai (1932–2025)
Also part of CinemaScope Summer.
Run Time: 107 Minutes
Opening Date: Saturday, August 08, 2026
Genre: Drama
