Why you can trust 12DOVE Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about our reviews policy.
This comeback from veteran Japanese director Shohei Imamura was the joint-winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes in '97. It traces the rehabilitation of a wife-killer who is released on parole after eight years inside.
Accompanied by an eel he befriended in prison (hence the title), Yamashita (Yakusho, from Shall We Dance?) sets up a barber shop in a remote village and settles down to live quietly, talking to no-one but his slippery companion. However, saving a strange woman (Shimizu) from suicide and the reappearance of a former cell-mate have far-reaching consequences on his life. With its frequent swings in mood,
The Eel makes for uneasy viewing, as low-key realism gives way to farcical comedy. However, Imamura clearly feels warmth towards his taciturn protagonist and oddball supporting characters, and is repaid with some rich performances. An intriguing portrait of contemporary Japanese society that serves as a universal testimony to the resilience of the human spirit.
NO VERDICT
Leading analysts predict the Nintendo Switch 2 could shift anywhere between 14 million and 20 million units in its first year - if Nintendo can keep up with demand
30 years later, Fallout creator Tim Cain is searching for a legendary D&D player who cheesed an entire competitive dungeon with a lightning-fast Monk build
As Dragon Age: The Veilguard director leaves and studio closure rumors surface, Mass Effect 5 director appears to hint the RPG is just fine: "Every week is a good week at work for me"
