It is a performances centric movie

Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

Am I Missing Something?

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Tadanobu Asano stars, but really anyone could have played any character in this film, they're all so two-dimensional. Asano has stolen money from a yakuza boss, who now, along with his comic-bookish henchmen, is out to get him. Along the way, Asano hooks up with a shy woman. The film does contain a few really good scenes. I could actually forgive it for being shallow if it were more fun than it is. Unfortunately, what makes it really bad is that, for most of its run, the film is just damn boring. Some of the scenes drag out forever. The faster paced bits are more tolerable, and this might have been cool if it were more like a Ryuhei Kitamura film. Another problem is that, while the story is mostly very straightforward, there are occasions where it becomes incoherent. Which made me lose interest even more. Skip it.

Kimie Shingyouji is amazing as is Tadanobu Asano and Shie Kohinata. Brilliant film, great performances. A quirky classic and a precursor to films such as Kill Bill, though the film was surely inspired by Pulp Fiction first.Sharkskin Man... makes me want to go back to the French New Wave again. It is cinematic ally liberating, fresh yet retro, new and exciting.Seijun Suzuki is another filmmaker that has accomplished something similar I think, with Pistol Opera, the re-make of his own "Branded to Kill," made 35 years prior.Kohinata's performance is nothing short of perfect. She is a true star and I love her work. This film should be mandatory viewing.I give Sharkshin Man and Peachhip Girl the highest rating possible for originality and entertainment value as well as a great ensemble cast and innovative script.

I honestly can't see anything worthwhile about 'Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl'. This is another one of those Tarantino rip-offs that has none of the wit or substance of the originals. Basically it's a lovers on the run movie, a genre as old as the hills, but only a fool would deny the strong influence of QT's 'True Romance'. 'True Romance' had witty dialogue, some tense and funny moments, a couple of protagonists you cared about, and a gallery of genuinely scary mobsters and colorful supporting characters. 'Shark Skin Man..' has none of these. It's tries oh so hard to be quirky and cool but misses the mark. I was just bored. From this mediocre effort I would say Katsuhito Ishii is the Japanese equivalent of Guy Ritchie, rather than an exciting ORIGINAL talent like his fellow countrymen Shinya Tsukamoto and Takashi Miike. If you're considering watching this one try and find some of their movies instead.

Didn't think much while I was watching the show but the images and themes have come back strongly after. Yes, Sharkskin Man is a movie that I have not been able to get out of my mind. Part comedy, part Action-Adventure, part Fashion Parade, this film boasts of an incredibly hip cast with strong (in a subtle way) performances from the 2 leads. A highly entertaining movie that is as bizarre (if you've been watching commercial movies all your life) as it is romantic. Yes, ROMANTIC.