Movielogr

The Visitor in the Eye (1977)

Directed by Nobuhiko Ōbayashi

Science Fiction | Mystery

Overview

Komori Tiaki is a budding tennis student. However, one day in training her coach hits the ball into her eye accidentally. She is taken to hospital but is advised that she will never regain the sight in her eye.

Length 100 minutes

Actors

Nagisa Katahira | Jô Shishido | Etsuko Shihomi | Shingo Yamamoto | Kôji Wada | Tôru Minegishi | Isao Tamagawa | Rinichi Yamamoto | Hiroyuki Nagato | Honey Lane | Fumi Dan | Yumeji Tsukioka | Toshiya Fujita | Sonny Chiba | Nobuhiko Ōbayashi | Ai Matsubara | Masayo Miyako | Dai Nagasawa | Mitsutoshi Ishigami | Rushia Santô | Godiego

Viewing History (seen 2 times)

Date ViewedDeviceFormatSourceRating
04/24/2020TVBroadcastOther7 stars
04/23/2020TVBroadcastOther5.5 stars
 

Viewing Notes

Nobuhiko Obayashi tribute continues on DKUTV! Joe Shishido as Black Jack?!?! I could’t pass this one up. Also features Sister Streetfighter herself Etsuko Shihomi!

Something I’ve discovered in viewing all these Obayashi films this year: even a not-so-good Obayashi movie has qualities making it worth the watch. This movie is the perfect example of that.

Firstly Black Jack is barely in the movie. Sure, Jo Shishido has a few moments but even he seems a bit confounded by the role (admittedly it’s a better character on the page or in anime). But this isn’t really a Black Jack movie; it’s a crime mystery and a rather flat one at that.

Yet it has many of Ōbayashi’s signature touches including what must be a in-joke reference to HOUSE, released only a couple months prior to this film, when we hear the unmistakable piano notes from HOUSE then a cat drops onto a piano before scurrying off. It’s hilarious!

Then you have Estuko playing amateur detective chewing a lot of melodramatic scenes. She’s great. Also there are the oddball investigators with amusing character ticks. A very fascinating movie where it’s pieces are better than the result.

Another Ōbayashi flick I’d like to own and study.

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