This Japanese film is set in a small city where there has been a spate of group suicides. Yuu and Rie, journalists for a local television station, have been tasked with producing a report following the latest incident. While at the location they meet a girl who tells them that she was meant to be part of the group but couldn't go through with it as 'Rickie' didn't turn up. It turns out Rickie is a woman who spoke to people online, encouraging them to go through with suicide plans... she also produced a DVD suicide manual. She gives a copy of the DVD to Yuu and he watches; it shows a variety of methods as well as warning of the possible problems if you fail. The research also takes them to a Buddhist shrine where they that the spirits of those who kill themselves go on to drive others to suicide. As the investigation continues Yuu starts to feel suicidal and more people who have contacted Rickie die.
This is a hard film for categorise. When I picked up the DVD I thought it was going to be a horror movie; there are elements of horror in it but it isn't really a horror film. Yuu and Rie's investigation is shown in a very matter of fact way; these characters are not dynamic... and deliberately so. The way suicides are shown is quite shocking; particularly that of somebody jumping from a building... there is silence followed by an horrific, dull thud. Given the topic it isn't surprising that this is fairly depressing at times, it gets more so as the film progresses... which seems at odds with the on screen message at the start saying the story is to discourage suicide. The acting is nicely low key which suits the natural feel of the film. Overall I'm not sure who I'd recommend this due to its subject matter and depressing tone; if you are looking for something different and enjoy Japanese cinema it is worth a go.
These comments are based on watching the film in Japanese with English subtitles.
