This film has been released to Netflix Australia with no official cinema release. Produced by the well known Ridley Scott, this film is set in 1989, Tokyo. Our film follows a young girl named Lucy (Alicia Vikander) who works as a translator for television shows. Lucy soon falls in love with a mysterious man named Teiji (Naoki Kobayashi), who has a passion for photography and requests to photograph her. Naturally, Lucy can’t resist the charming man, and the two develop a relationship. All seems well until one of Lucy’s new friends, Lily, appears to be interrupting Lucy’s life and her current relationship with Teiji.
Earthquake Bird is a slow burn thriller. Lucy’s life seems complex as she talks about the terrible things in her life or when she relates the tragic moments from her past. Moments like these will give some insight to Lucy as a character, but it also builds ideas in the mind of its audiences.
Is Lucy is crazy or perhaps a murderer?
The plot itself is simple, but the overall direction and journey our film takes to get there is quite a painful process. With so many side elements that surround Lucy, it almost feels like constantly forced misdirection and that any twists that appear are simply used to make the film go longer. Basically, in my opinion, there are lots of scenes that are not required to tell the thrilling core story, including unnecessary sex scenes.
As for performances, they’re generally ok, but our leading lady is capable of far better given her resume of cinema.
Overall, Earthquake Bird seems like an easy thriller on paper, but instead, the film tries to make it a big mystery with lots of surrounding side details to derail the audience. There are also many unnecessary moments, including sex scenes that would have been better cut during the editing process. Small thrills to be had yes, but it’s a challenge to watch this and complete the journey.
3.7/10
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