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Punch & Judy

Do the Japanese have Punch and Judy ?

Or do they have a manga (or let it be whispered, hentai) version of the same thing ?

INT21.
 
Judy & Punch: A Dark Fantasy set in Seaside, a village which is a three day mule ride from the sea. This film is an acting out of the Punch & Judy show we know so well. All of the characters feature, even the crocodile appears in a dream. Seaside is an odd place, it has a stoning day when heretics and witches are stoned to death, the townsfolk loudly proclaim they are due a hanging when someone is suspected of murder. Anachronisms abound but it might be set in the 17th Century. Judy (Mia Wasikowska) is a skilled puppeteer, Punch was once great, is still the showman but longs for his glory days outside of this backwater. His onstage violence spills into real life and a tragedy occurs, followed by him almost beating Judy to death.

The darkness of the film is diluted somewhat by the anarchic streak of humour which runs throughout it. Some characters are comic-evil such as the Witchfinder, Mr Frankly (Tom Burge) and his incomprehensible Scottish sidekicks who usurp the duties of the kind-heated Town Constable (Benedict Hardy). There are some shocking scenes of violence where stones strike women who are accused of being witches and hands are severed. Judy plots her revenge against punch with the aid of a band of "Heretics" who hide out in the nearby forest. These people are albinos, dwarfs, a herbal doctor, basically anyone who is different or falls foul of the villagers prejudices. Some great acting by Wasikowska and Herriman in this tale of misogyny and the fear of the other. Writer/Director Mirrah Foulkes returns the tale of Punch & Judy to it's dark roots in this Folk Horror tour de force. 9/10
 
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I also enjoyed Judy & Punch (it's on streaming now). A feminist take on the old puppet show might sound groaningly worthy, but this is truly strange and instead of dismissing the whole story, it finds empowerment and validity in it, though you have to take Punch as the villain. Apparently Mia Wasikowska wants to give up acting, so this might be the last time we see her, so enjoy her presence while it lasts.

But (to those who have seen it) where was the Skeleton?
 
ramonmercado said:
Judy & Punch: A Dark Fantasy set in Seaside, a village which is a three day mule ride from the sea. This film is an acting out of the Punch & Judy show we know so well. All of the characters feature, even the crocodile appears in a dream. Seaside is an odd place, it has a stoning day when heretics and witches are stoned to death, the townsfolk loudly proclaim they are due a hanging when someone is suspected of murder. Anachronisms abound but it might be set in the 17th Century. Judy (Mia Wasikowska) is a skilled puppeteer, Punch was once great, is still the showman but longs for his glory days outside of this backwater. His onstage violence spills into real life and a tragedy occurs, followed by him almost beating Judy to death.

The darkness of the film is diluted somewhat by the anarchic streak of humour which runs throughout it. Some characters are comic-evil such as the Witchfinder, Mr Frankly (Tom Burge) and his incomprehensible Scottish sidekicks who usurp the duties of the kind-heated Town Constable (Benedict Hardy). There are some shocking scenes of violence where stones strike women who are accused of being witches and hands are severed. Judy plots her revenge against punch with the aid of a band of "Heretics" who hide out in the nearby forest. These people are albinos, dwarfs, a herbal doctor, basically anyone who is different or falls foul of the villagers prejudices. Some great acting by Wasikowska and Herriman in this tale of misogyny and the fear of the other. Writer/Director Mirrah Foulkes returns the tale of Punch & Judy to it's dark roots in this Folk Horror tour de force. 9/10
Click to expand...

Now on Netflix.
 
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