2LDK (2003) - A Review

 

Incredible movie!

2LDK is a black comedy/thriller released in Japan in 2003, starring Eiko Koike and Maho Nonami, and was directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi. This movie was made as part of the Duel Project challenge: Tsutsumi (and director Ryuhei Kitamura for his own film) had to make a feature length movie containing a duel, two actors, one setting, and it had to be filmed in one week. 2LDK was paired with Kitamura's Aragami when shown in theaters.

Eiko Koike as Nozomi.

Eiko Koike plays Nozomi, an aspiring young woman trying to make it as an actress in Tokyo, Japan. She is from a small town in Sado Island, and is a very prim, proper, and organized person. She is vying for a role in a movie, and is romantically interested in a man involved with that movie.

Maho Nonami as Lana.

Maho Nonami plays Lana, who is also an aspiring young actress trying to make it in Tokyo. She has had a few roles in movies already, but really wants this a part in an upcoming movie. She grew up in the city, so she is world weary, and she lives a bit more of an uninhibited lifestyle.

Lana and Nozomi in...happier times.

Nozomi and Lana live together in an apartment set up by their casting agency, and they are vying for the same role in the upcoming movie Yakuza Wives 4. On this night, they are eagerly awaiting a phone call to find out if they got the part. Throughout the night, they get to know each other a little better, and as a result, their underlying tensions come to a boil. Quite frankly, their apartment becomes a battlefield!

Things escalate between the two...

 This movie is hard for me to review because, when I review movies I try not to get too detailed about the plot or scenes; I want the reader to experience the movie with a vague understanding of the plot so they can enjoy all the twists and turns that occur along the way. With this movie, things build up and build up until... well, you'll see. Trust me when I tell you, go into this movie blind. It is quite the experience!

Both Nozomi and Lana are very interesting characters, with different backstories and motivations. They both want that starring role, though! They are both the hero and the villain of this story. 2LDK is quite funny as well, though it is a very dark comedy. The things the characters say and think are so funny. Even what happens when everything hits the fan is humorous (to a certain extent). Eiko Koike and Maho Nonami absolutely kill it with their performances in 2LDK.

In short, 2LDK is an absolute must see movie! The first time I watched this (after learning about it on an Asian cinema message board in the early 2000s), I was blown away. I could not stop watching it when I rented it back then. The movie still holds up. It's dark, it's funny, it's violent, and there is a bit of social commentary in there as well. I highly recommend it! If only I could get this on Blu-Ray!

Reviewed by David Williams