Gukoroku - Traces of Sin (2016) User Reviews

Disturbing, engaging, a tad overlong

[tenshi_ippikiookami · 8/10 · 20 September 2017]

"Gukôroku" (or "Traces of Sin" in its English title) is a highly entertaining movie, with an incredible atmosphere, great pace and some food for thought that only falters a little bit in the end because of a tad overlong running time.

Satoshi Tsumabuki plays Tanaka, a journalist that decides to poke his nose in the old case of the murder of a family. His boss, knowing of his family situation (his sister is detained because of neglecting the care of her baby) decides to let him tackle the old case. Tanaka goes around meeting old friends from the family, like co-workers or university friends, little by little discovering a world of darkness, selfishness and an overall ugly image of a shallow and competitive culture. Tsumabuki does a great job in keeping his Tanaka a detached, curious viewer of the stories that unfold around him, his character just the medium that connects the viewer with the story. Everyone else does also a great job in creating characters that will make the viewer squirm and writhe in disgust, sadness or fear. The direction helps, keeping things simple and clear.

The tone of the movie is great, even though it is a little bit uneven in the time jumps and the moments it turns to Tanaka's relationship with his sister. The music and dark palette intensify the dread and dark tone of the movie. And when the twists appear, because there are a couple of them, they add to the movie (even if one or two are not particularly surprising).

"Gukôroku" is a great movie. Just be ready for a descent into human darkness.

Traces of Quality

[politic1983 · 6/10 · 3 February 2018]

Tanaka (Satoshi Tsumabuki) is a journalist, somewhat docile, but keen to re-open an old wound of a near-year-old murder case of a young family butchered in their home. With his sister, Mitsuko (Hikari Mitsushima), recently arrested for child-neglect - her three year-old daughter found malnourished - Tanaka's boss allows him to pursue his personal interest in the story to take his mind off his own personal problems. Though Tanaka's problems are even greater than his persona lets on.

After the scenario is established, the film splits into two separate story arks: Arranging meetings with people connected to the murdered couple, Tanaka conducts a series of interviews with various former university friends and acquaintances; while Mitsuko has numerous sessions with a psychiatrist to establish her mental state.

Adapted from Tokuro Nukui's novel of the same name (which I, of course, haven't read), "Gukoroku" originally used Akutagawa-style "In A Grove" confessionals from each of those interviewed, with director Kei Ishikawa and Mukai choosing to add in a lawyer who accompanies Tanaka and the psychiatrist character to give the testimonies more of a rounded story fitting for a film.

The film, therefore, has a lot going on, with the various monologues of the individuals acted out, each recalling different past memories. This leaves a lot of characters and scenarios, with stories within stories, creating quite a complex narrative for the audience to follow, particularly with two separate story arks that gradually merge together. What starts as a murder mystery, gradually becomes a tale of Tanaka and Mitsuko's troubled upbringing, as well as an [**SPOILER ALERT**] incest sideline.

It's fair to say "Gukoroku" is a bleak film. None of the confessions look back on the past with fondness, but more recollections of individuals that caused them troubles earlier in their lives. Adultery, social deceptions, peer pressure, failed relations and, you heard, incest all feature. The tricky subject matter is handled fairly well, though perhaps not offering any revelations that haven't come before.

The cinematography from Polish Piotr Niemyjski is solid throughout, with Mitsuko's struggles in prison effectively showing her inner-torment. The soundtrack is also strong in what is a solid film without ever getting too close to "excellent" territory. It is interesting to see the Office Kitano ident before a film again...

Psychological thriller involving society of sorority rich kids/envy. Definitely requires watching it a second time. Very slow/boring the first time

[pinokiyo · 7/10 · 10 November 2017]

This is one of those movies that is better watching it the second time than the first time. The first time, I honestly hated the movie and the pacing was awful and a bit of a torture. It definitely requires a lot of patience, focus and investment. The second time, it goes by a lot faster and is more interesting.

The reason is watching it the first time, it is an absolute bore/slow/mundane just seeing the guy interview people and all you wonder to yourself the entire time is why you should even care about these people. The interviews itself is really not even exciting or interesting either unless you know the ending.

I agree with the other reviews that it takes too long for the payoff. I thought the twist was predictable, but if you watch it the second time, the beginning boring mundane scenes are what becomes more interesting to watch.

You also pick up little detail symbolic clues like the wreath in the murder home and coffee shop; I wondered why the camera would pan in a weird framing shot to show emphasis on the wreath. There's a lot of symbolic scenes that make you interpret and think instead of how Hollywood directly shows it in your face (instead of directly showing sex, the multiple hands that look like something from a horror movie; you feel trauma and disgust of what the character went through)

Watching it the first time, it can be very confusing to follow the characters/names because the actors also end up looking quite different/hairstyle of themselves being interviewed from their past time.

Natsuhara, is the rich perfect beautiful girl everyone wishes they could be. One of the movie's theme really deals with how society treats people based on their family background, status, sorority groups and some evil things people end up doing just to fit in.

Hikari Mitsushima, playing Mitsuko, definitely steals the show here. She really delivered a genuinely convincing poor abused mental character.

I think the movie would have been better if the pacing was refined more. The movie could have been half the length and still tell the same story. However, if you have the patience and focus and into psychological thrillers, you'll find it intriguing, especially viewing it the second time.

I don't think the twist was a major shock or had that huge impact as when I saw the Korean movie "Oldboy", but the movie is really dark and depressing the more you think about it.

Although the plot is entirely different, the pacing and main character/behavior of movie reminds me of a lot of the American movie called "The Drop" (2014) with Tom Hardy. (so if you enjoyed this movie, I would recommend that)

Good ending but it took too long to build up to it

[Gordon-11 · 13 September 2017]

This film tells the story of a journalist in a monthly magazine in Japan. He revisits a story of the gruesome murder of a seemingly perfect family when it is close to the one year anniversary of the murder. He interviews the people who knew the victims, discovering uncomfortable truths of the individuals involved.

"Gukoroku - Traces of Sin" is a slow moving film. The interviews are slow and dialog intense. These interviews and flashbacks reveal the true nature of the victims when they were alive. To be honest, the interviews are not that thrilling or engaging. It gets rather boring towards the middle. However, the last section of the film gradually descends into a exciting and gripping story. The ending seems to be an open ending, insinuating a horrible deed, unless I missed an important clue in the film.

Overall, I think the ending takes a bit too long to build up. It is a good ending, but I have lost interest before the ending to care about it.

psycho drama at full

[Hombredelfuturo · 7/10 · 22 November 2017]

...with a blueish darker palette the director is presenting us this almost horror film in a two hours long run. Seems that most Japanese movies should have that length¿? The other commentators are saying that is too long and the pace too slow; well; I think they are not accustomed to Japanese films... In fact, all the length is right; but yes, like mentioned too, the final is somewhat evident at some point.

-I want to add a different point of view:

We are seeing different kind of situations and persons. Not all the rich and educated guys are good and not all the not so rich are good too. Very good showing of what a Human being can do to reach his/her desires.

You have the mentally ill characters; the climbers; the "normal" people; the cheats; the lies and liars.

-Is a sordid plot but not oppressive to watch it; it has plenty of "air" and exterior shoots to keep watching.

..why he decides to investigate about this crime again? One year after...may be he had all planned...may be it is his catharsis?

Incredible also, no matter what to do or not the perception of others is what counts in the end...

Slow-pace, but worth the build up and story development

[reimondo-ag · 9/10 · 18 November 2017]

This film was introduced in a number of international film festivals and I saw it during one of them and glad I did. It started slowly with main character Tanaka, journalist, (Satoshi Tsumabuki) carrying the story line forward by interviewing different people involved in a murder case. It's easy to miss some plot lines as a lot of characters were introduced one by one, especially with the names and flashbacks. I think that's the film's direction as it leaves the viewers to connect the dots on their own progressively, dropping hints here and there. As others have suggested, recommended to watch second time as some of the earlier scenes will make sense. I myself came out from the cinema questioning myself why and how, trying to make sense some of the plots. It is one of the best crimes, thriller movies worth the watch for those who enjoy the genre.

Both Satoshi and Hikari Mitsushima (female lead) threw in some of the best performances. I am well familiar with those two and quite enjoyed some of their previous films. They played some of the difficult scenes really well.

Please give it a watch, anyone who don't mind the slow pace and story gradually unravelling up to the final climax. For reference, this film is first feature length film from director Kei Ishikawa who studied film directing in Poland on government scholarship.

Touching and beautifully shot - more than just a detective story

[mister_bateman · 9/10 · 22 January 2019]

A journalist investigates the unexplainable, brutal murder of an upper class family, slowly piecing together an intricate puzzle and revealing a web of intertwined relationships between have and have-nots in the caste-like society of a Japanese city.

I really enjoyed both the acting as well as the direction. Every single scene looked perfect, neat and tidy.