Sukurappu hebun (2005) User Reviews

Perfect for what it is

[polysicsarebest · 8/10 · 14 November 2008]

Scrap Heaven is a beautifully-directed, well-acted, tightly-structured film about 3 people who are completely different except for their grim view of life, and they each want to cause their own form of revenge on the world. Their paths cross one night and then continue to cross willingly and unwillingly over the duration of the movie, and their similarities become more apparent as the film goes on. The end to each character's story isn't completely satisfying, and there is a lot of vagueness regarding certain motivations of the people in this film, but all in all the film remains a clever, dark, hilarious, and DIFFERENT viewpoint of modern Japanese society...

Yes, themes of emotional detachment, societal servitude, repressed thoughts and feelings are nothing new in Japanese films... but this film explores all these themes with a sense of humor and some ridiculousness. The end is a bit predictable, and the film seems to sometimes wander when trying to make its point, but I can safely say I was never bored with this film... and I've thought about it nonstop since I finished watching it. Just a really great film.

Also: I noticed, at times, a strange parallel between this film and Fight Club, actually, and I'm sure I'm alone in this. Some of the acts of anarchy, and one of the main character's blatant Tyler Durden-isms (including his choice of clothes) had me wondering. It's nothing that crazy or distracting from the rest of the film, just worth noting.

Shocking drama with a bit comedy here and there

[mkmkmkmkmkmkmk · 6/10 · 30 August 2006]

This was such a beautiful drama. Kuriyama (Kill Bill vol. 1 & Battle Royale) did a great job as a blind person and the other two actors were also outstanding. I loved the relationship between the three people in the group. They weren't really connected, but because they spend a lot of time with each other, they kind of created their own ordinary relationship.

This movie really interested me, and it's not a typical movie you can find anywhere. There were quite some memorable scenes! There weren't really that much lines in the movie, but even without saying anything, you can just look threw the heart of the characters. I love this movie!

Dark, funny, humanistic look at modern life

[maddening-1 · 10/10 · 16 February 2008]

It makes me sad that there is only one review for this movie and it's an inaccurate vague review that doesn't really address the movie.

Scrap Heaven is a tight, interesting, character driven story about three strangers tossed together when they all end up on a doomed bus ride. But that's just the way they met. The moments of dark comedy effortlessly lead right into moments of poignancy. For me, this hit all the 'indie movie' buttons.

It's not an action flick, it's not a comedy, it's not an outright drama, it's not a romance movie, it's not a buddy movie, it's not a cop drama, it's not an outsider movie but it's a little bit of all of that and really rings true when it all concludes. Overall it feels very human and real. Never overplayed and it never tries too hard. Come with your open mind but not on a day when you can't take a dark movie.

WE ARE HERE TO TAKE REVENGE

[nogodnomasters · 5/10 · 31 May 2019]

After a shooting incident on a bus, three survivors meet again. The world's worst policeman teams up with the world's worst toilet cleaner to run a "Revenge" agency out of a dirty toilet stall. The third person involved is a one-eyed pharmacist who hates the world (Chiaki Kuriyama- Gogo in "Kill Bill").

The film had definite potential but then Japanese style and culture step in to take the film down hill.

Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.