Written by: Michael Den Boer on July 2nd, 2010
Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1973
Director: Tatsumi Kumashiro
Writers: Kôji Kamoda, Tatsumi Kumashiro
Cast: Rie Nakagawa, Toru Ohe, Moeko Ezawa, Chizuyu Azami
DVD released: March 23rd, 2010
Approximate running time: 76 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono Japanese
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Kimstim
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $29.95
Synopsis: After killing a Yakuza in Tokyo. A young man seeks refuge under a alias in his hometown. Shortly after his arrival he finds employment at a porno theater. The owner of the theater a lonely housewife quickly latches on to him. There affair is short lived as he soon becomes disenchanted with his home town after several of the townspeople claim to known him. Unable to remain anonymous. He decides it is time to move on. That is until he meets a adventurous young couple who take him under their wing.
Twisted Path of Love was co -written and directed by Tatsumi Kumashiro, who’s other notable Roman Porno’s include Sayuri Ichijo: Following Desire, Yakuza Justice: Erotic Code of Honor, Woods Are Wet: Woman Hell, Street of Joy, The Woman with Red Hair and The World of Geisha. The cinematographer on Twisted Path of Love was Shinsaku Himeda a frequent collaborator of Tatsumi Kumashiro. Some of his other notable credits as a cinematographer include Pigs and Battleships, Intentions of Murder, The Pornographers and Vengeance Is Mine.
The plots revolves around a mysterious young man named Katsu. Throughout the film he encounters several people who claim to know him. And even though the events leading up to the film’s finale have an abstract feel to them. These moments actually tell more about the Katsu character. Than the straight forward explanation at the end of the film, in which he reveals who he is and what he is running from?
From a production standpoint, the direction, the pacing and the acting are all very good. Even though there is a crudeness to the sex scenes. This does not lessen their impact. Also like all Roman Porno’s that were made in this era. There are black boxes / rectangles and other objects used to cover up the genitals.
This film is also known under the alternate English language title ‘Lovers are Wet’. The title used for this DVD release Twisted Path of Love, is more in line with the subject matter at hand. When compared to other Roman Porno’s. There are certainly more salacious and exploitative film’s than Twisted Path of Love. A film that aspires to connect with the viewer on a more cerebral level with its heavy handed use of subtext. Unfortunately the end result is a disjointed film that falls short of its lofty ambitions.
The DVD:
Twisted Path of Love is presented in a anamorphic widescreen that preserves the film’s original 2.35:1 scope aspect ratio. Colors, flesh tones and black levels all fare well. Outside of a few darker scenes, the image generally looks crisp. There are no problems with compression or combing and edge enhancement is kept in check.
This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in Japanese. The audio sounds clean, clear and balanced throughout. Removable English subtitles that are error free and east to follow have been included.
Extras for this release are limited to a trailer for the film (2 minutes 2 seconds – anamorphic widescreen, in Japanese, no English subtitles). Overall Twisted Path of Love gets a well rounded audio / video presentation Kimstim that is on par with their other Nikkatsu Roman Porno releases.