So, Just How Good is Paprika?

I have only seen this film twice and I noticed so much more the second time. The first time I went in with no expectations from the film and I let it wash over me. That was about 6 years ago and it has stuck with me. Now as my love for films grows with my understanding of them I watched it with great hope it would be as good as I remembered.

When I go to watch it again I may see more but I wont care if I don't, sometimes it's fun just to let a masterpiece wash over you.

This is a hard film to talk about. I will try to beak it down into parts including; animation, plot, characters, themes, music, stand out moments and how it all ties into the narrative. I don't want to go too deep as this is just a blog and I have very little experience in doing reviews, or long form writing. But I will go over what I feel is important.

My first point is how I will describe 'narrative'. I think of it like a washing line where plot and characters are hung onto it (With the other aspects as well). This is different from story/plot which is the thing that is being told. A example would be Casino Royal where the story continues on after a good narrative stopping place, so we get the disjointed feel of the Venice part at the end. The was more story to tell but little narrative to hang it on.

Plot:
Simple at heart, a story of careless use of technology, the theft of said tech and the plan of the villain to use it for his own end. A simple structure with which to frame the larger issues. The plot could of been drastically different and still worked, but the theft story line worked as a nice setup into the motives of the antagonists. Not much to say on it but it get set up fast and makes sense.

Art:
Both animation and camera work. While the visual artwork isn't showy it works well within the world. A nice contrast is made between dreams and the waking worlds but it is also used to hide which is which to very good effect. The quality of the drawings is the kind I have come to expect from Mad House. Top notch and very fluid.

The cinematic approach to the camera work is used to great effect and is even a plot point and shown to the audience. The difference a angle can make to change the feel and meaning of scene. The theme of film making runs through the detectives thread and is central to his problem.

Characters:
It seems at first that the main arc is that of the detective but as we see more of both Doctor Atsuko Chiba and her other side Paprika we see the conflict of a woman who while helps others with their mental problems she struggles with her own identity. Though being one person both characters feel different and the growth of Doctor Atsuko Chiba contrasts with the static but fun Paprika.

The detective is interesting and fits into the film in a fun way mainly being there to show us the world but he has a good arc and is used well.

The only character that kind of falls flat is the 'bad guy' the is a bit one dimensional and obvious his second though was a surprise and had a well set up motive.

Music:
Though it is strange at times it is very fitting for the style of film. Using a computer program to sing is inspired and works well on a meta level. The OST is great and I have listened to it twice in the last day and a bit.

Narrative & Themes
Wow the is a lot going on here. Man Vs Tech. Love. Life and death. Inner self. Mental states and effects of dreams. Plus much more.

What I want to focus on is being someone different on the inside. Both developers have a inner person one hidden (Paprika) and one very viable (a child like mentality). The duel nature seen between both characters is no mistake and as the film goes on we seen both come to terms with themselves and each other. Both look at what counts, one on the inside the other on the outside.

The is so much just on the topic of self and who is seen by who. Hiding but not fearing you inner self and being comfortable with what you show to the world, the are so many levels to this.

Awesome Moments:
The fall. When paprika falls into the dream floats down through the clouds and exits dressed as the monkey king. The cut and music cue make it great.

The slicing of paprikas skin. The hand invading her crotch and undoing her shield leaving her bare.

The fourth wall braking camera talk. A very cool side step into film making.

The parades. There just so damn good.


My Answer!
Yes, Paprika is great. It fits somewhere in my top ten films of all time. (the list consists of about 30 films) The style and substance with is heart make for a very good watch and a film to think about for days.


Note: This blog has taken hours to write. I hope I get better, the main issues was putting my thoughts and feelings into words. The are bound to be mistakes but at about 1000 words I am happy.