Summary
Released in 1997,Perfect Blueis still discussed to date on the topics it covers and the brutal outcomes of being a pop star turned full-fledged actress. Following the story of Mima Kirigoe, a member of a popular J-POP group, the audience is taken down on a troubling and dark descent into the cruel world of fame and the consequences that come with it. Loosely based off the novel,Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis, director Santoshi Kon captures the raw feel of a troubled young woman who desires to reach superstardom and become a household name, only to find herself at the center of a major crime spree.
Nearing its 30-year anniversary,Perfect Blue’s masterpiece can’t be replicated, and covers the real and somber world of fame and glory, highlighting the eventual downfall and negatives that follow closely behind. The gradual decay of Mima Kirigoe’s mental health is tough to watch, and the eerie vibe that is given throughout the film’s one hour and twenty minute runtime is unsettling and disturbing at times. Spiraling into a chaotic display, Mima and the audience are unable to determine what is real and what isn’t, painting a haunting yet beautiful ending, capturing the real feeling of the uncertainty of Mima’s conclusion.
From Pop Star To Actress
Mima Kirigoe’s Descent Into Madness
Following her departure fromthe J-Pop group, “CHAM!”, Mima explores a new chapter in her life as a full-time actress. Despite her greater aspirations, fans of the J-Pop group and her role in it are none too pleased, lashing out in displeasure at the change in pace. The disappointment from her fans doesn’t compare to one particular member, who goes by Mamoru Uchida or Me-Mania, an obsessed fan who crosses the line bordering on stalker level. Regardless of the outcry, Mima pursues her conquest to be taken seriously as an actress, accepting a role in a television detective drama called Double Bind.
While this occurs, the stalker fan begins a website known as “Mima’s Room”, which serves as a journal into the life of Mima and talks about her as if she were writing the entries personally. Mima catches onto the website and begins to follow it, taking it as a fun fan site that offers their opinion on every decision she makes. After completing a scene in Double Bind, which includes a sexual assault on her character, Mima begins to descend a troubling path of mental health issues, which are only doubled by the journal entries in Mina’s Room. As they grow more detailed about specific parts of her day, Mima begins to realize that someone may be following her.
The shocking revelation leads to the unraveling of Mima’s mental state, blurring the lines between reality and what she believes is happening. The uncomfortable moments leading to her darkest moments lead the audience to wonder whether she is experiencing these horrific moments or if past trauma is building future scenarios that keep her mental health on the decline. With murders occurring around her and involving characters close to her acting career, it begins to lead people to believe she is behind the killing spree. This only becomes worse for her mind as she begins to discover evidence of the murders in her home.
Perfect Blue’s Perfect Twist
An Ending Everyone Should Have Seen Coming
The unnerving feeling of the realization that each post is getting closer to home and detailing every moment in her private life, Mima begins to piece her memories together. She comes to the revelation that the security guard has been closely linked to each case and seems to be in her atmosphere no matter where she goes. Not only does this person appear during her TV appearances and shoots, but in her dreams during the most tragic moments of her mental decay. It’s revealed that this security guard is, in fact, Me-Mania, which leads to a heart-pounding attack and a chase between the two characters.
Following her self-defense clubbing, it would appear Mima is in the clear and finally safe for the first time, but it is not all as it appears. As Rumi brings Mima back to her place, Mima awakens in a room eerily decorated to appear as her own. Caught in the shock of another room mimicking her own, Mima finds Rumi dressed in a replica outfit of Mima’s J-Pop career, where shereveals herself to be the culpritbehind the threats and the murders. Known as a close confidant and friend to Mima, Rumi was the perfect candidate to observe Mima’s life and know her whereabouts, using every instance against her in the “Mima’s Room” blog.
Santoshi Kon does a masterful job of placing every bit of evidence in front of his audience, but blurs the lines of perception. A creepy security guard can be seen as a bad person, while the helpful friend who manages Mima’s career and has only good intentions is seen as good. While Mima survives the ordeal and Rumi finds herself in the final moments, can Mima’s identification of her “real” self be trusted? Thanks to some amazing storytelling throughout,Perfect Blue’s endingis still one that captivates the audience who was taken on this rollercoaster ride, and whether Mima’s story is a happy or concerning ending is up to the audience’s judgment.
