‘Love Exposure’: This Underrated Four-Hour Comedy is a Masterpiece From Start to Finish

It can be intimidating to commit to a four-hour film at a time when short-form entertainment is prevalent and attention spans are getting shorter. However, Sion Sono’s 2008 comedy-drama ‘Love Exposure’ defies expectations and is an exciting trip from beginning to end. This Japanese epic, which follows a young man’s tumultuous journey of sin, love, and redemption, is a cyclone of satire, dark humour, and raw passion in contrast to typical movies.

The protagonist of the tale is Yu Honda, a youngster who was coerced into confessing misdeeds he hasn’t committed by his stern Catholic priest father. Yu starts pretending to commit crimes—stealing, fighting, and even becoming an expert at up-skirt photography—in order to appease his father. When he meets Yoko, a misandrist who worships the Virgin Mary, his life takes a surprising turn. Ironically, Yu falls in love with her while posing as “Miss Scorpion,” his alter ego. Cult leader Koike further complicates their love story by tricking them into a web of lies, shattering Yu’s family and making him fight valiantly to prove his love and restore his identity.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

‘Love Exposure’, which was originally nearly six hours long but was later cut to 237 minutes, is a bold fusion of action, humour, and provocative ideas. The film welcomes the chaotic beauty of life, examines self-discovery, and criticizes religious fundamentalism with its extravagant yet profoundly human story.

Sono pushes the boundaries of filmmaking with his bold storytelling, skillfully balancing comedy and sadness. Due in large part to its frightening runtime, ‘Love Exposure’  is still shamefully underappreciated despite its critical accolades. Those who do, however, will be treated to a memorable experience—a movie that defies expectations and offers a twisted yet poignant love story that is both captivating and insane.

–Farheen Ali