2LDK (2002)
By Shane Rivers
When two people live together, they quickly learn the most intimate of details about one another. While this can sometimes result in a close bond forming between the roommates, it can also lead to bickering, conflicts, and even out-and-out hostility. Never was the latter more true than in 2LDK, a quirky Japanese film from director Yukihiko Tsutsumi.
In case you’re wondering about the title, 2LDK is a common Japanese abbreviation for an apartment with two bedrooms, a living-room, dining-room, and kitchen. The film is set entirely in such a location, and two aspiring actresses are thrown into the mix for good measure (there’s also a parrot, but we won’t get into that).
The first to appear on-screen is Nozomi (Eiko Koike), a naïve actress from a small Japanese island. She’s just auditioned for a part in a film called Yakuza Wives–a role which she views as her last chance for success–and the movie studio has been kind enough to put her up in the apartment overnight while they make their decision.
Next to arrive is Rana (Maho Nonami), a more worldly actress with expensive clothes and jewelry. She begins as nothing more than the usual shallow celebrity cliché, but we soon learn that she’s concealing a dark secret behind her designer accessories. It also turns out that Rana is up for the same part as Nozomi, a fact which is the source of more than a little tension between the two.
As the women wait for word on who will receive the role, they engage in sweetly superficial banter (but the audience is also privy to their less-than-sweet inner dialogue). This slowly morphs into several petty disagreements, and the first half of the film concludes with rising tension between the duo. That’s when all hell breaks loose.
Since the events of the second half of the film are its major selling point, I’m not really giving anything away by elaborating a bit. After a complete breakdown in communication–and some man problems thrown in for good measure–the two actresses begin to engage in a violent battle throughout the luxury apartment. Punches (and eggs) are thrown, electric chainsaws are plugged in, and samurai swords are brandished; and that’s just for starters.
Despite their slight stature, both Koike and Nonami do a fine job of selling the fight scenes. While the violence ranges from the ghastly to the cartoonish, the performers manage to approach it all with an equal level of seriousness.
Director Yukihiko Tsutsumi also deserves praise for keeping the visuals fresh despite the entire film taking place in a single location. Low-angle, high-angle, and point-of-view shots are just of few of the techniques he employs to keeps things from getting stale.
Speaking of stale, the dialogue in 2LDK could have been stronger. It makes the film drag in spots, although it does redeem itself in the waning moments of the battle.
The scenes in the film were shot in sequence, with the intention of allowing the actresses to more naturally build to an emotional climax: This was only partially successful. While the battle certainly seems to take its toll on the participants, Nonami and Koike also seem too drained to effectively emote down the stretch. Of course, an eight-day shooting schedule and flu outbreak may have also been to blame.
Overall, 2LDK is an enjoyable if somewhat one-note film. A combination of a black comedy and gladiatorial event, it delivers some fun moments which will most likely fade within a few weeks of viewing.
This 2LDK movie review is copyright 2009 Small World Marketing and Shane Rivers. This 2LDK review should not be reprinted without the permission of the copyright holders.
This movie review of 2LDK expresses the opinion of the author only. Other 2LDK movie reviews are available online, and some of those might or might not express different opinions on the movie. Like those other 2LDK movie reivews, this 2LDK review is intended for the entertainment and education of the reader. This 2LDK movie review is provided as is with no warranty or guarantee implied.
