Love Obsession (1989)

 

(AKA Bijin reporter: Boko nama-chukei) A heavy handed commentary on the "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality of the media.

"News Obsession" is a program which covers real events of a disturbing and sensational variety.

Today they're covering a woman who is on top of a building who keeps shouting "Hiroshi! Am I pretty?" through a megaphone.

A crowd gathers below.

"Hiroshi! Am I pretty?" over and over.

Kai Murakami (Maya Shiraki) is the "News Obsession" reporter covering the story with her cameraman Eiji (Taketoshi Watari) .

Kai asks the woman who is Hiroshi?

The woman responds by dropping her megaphone and taking off her dress.

She starts fondling herself.

Guys in neighboring buildings are hooting and hollering at the macabre striptease.

We see event through the lens of a television broadcast - the woman jumping off the building to her death.

Kiriko Murakami (Mariko Kosaka) is watching the disturbing broadcast.

We find that Kiriko is actually Kai's little sister.

Kiriko lives a sad lonely life.  She is home schooled - i.e. taking classes virtually. 

Kai learns that, despite their sensationally sordid material, "News Obsession" is in danger of being cancelled.

Kai has sex with her cameraman, Eiji.

Kai returns home to see Kiriko.

Kiriko worships her older sister, and is excited to see her home.

Kirko and Kai have an odd relationship.  They bathe together.

That night, Kiroko can't sleep - she is haunted by the glow of the television.

The next day Kai has a virutal meeting with the TV station president (Yutaka Ikejima).

He tells Kai that they are cancelling "News Obsession" due to falling ratings.

Kai is disturbed to learn she only has until Monday to bring the ratings up.

Kai is not going to let this show get cancelled on her watch.

Lonely Kiriko watches tonight's broadcast of "News Obsession".

Kai has found the headquarters of a pedo ring.

The place is a pedo cesspool, but all the residents are gone. 

Disturbingly, Kiriko gets aroused by the disturbing nature of the show.

But once again, Kiriko is home alone as Kai's place at the table is empty.  Kiriko literally has no one else in her life.

Kai brings Eiji to the apartment and has a sick plan to save the show.

She creeps up to Kiroko's bed and sprays her with ether. They then carry her out.

Kiriko is brought unconscious to a barren apartment.  Eiji expresses reservations, but is angrily put in his place by Kai.

Kai and Eiji wear ski masks and Kiriko is tied to the bed.  Eiji films what happens next.

Kiriko has her pajamas torn off.

Kiriko doesn't realize it's her beloved sister pointing a vibrator then a knife at her crotch.

On the next broadcast of "News Obsession" Kai tells the nation that her little sister was abducted and raped - and she is showing the footage in the hopes that her abductors can be brought to justice.

Back at home at an empty table, Kai's guilt gets the better of her.  She can't eat and has to puke.

She is so utterly fucked up that her guilt quickly turns to arousal.  Kai collapses to the floor in ecstasy. 

Eiji is supposed to be guarding Kiriko but she gets the upper hand when she grabs a knife.

When she looks through his camera she finds out the truth.  She sees her sister take off the ski mask.  

Kai has the audacity to pretend to walk the busy streets with a sign to help find Kiriko.

Kai is told by the station president that ratings are soaring.

Kai is satisfied to hear that "News Obsession" is not getting cancelled.

When Kai returns to the secret location where Kiriko is being held, she is surprised to find two individuals in ski masks waiting for her.  She's knocked out and tied to the bedl.

In fact the two masked individuals are Kiriko and Eiji, who has joined her. 

Kiriko jumps on Kai and Eiji gets it all on camera.

Kai finally passes out.

Kiriko takes off her mask and tells Eiji she wants to screw.

The TV network president tells the public that Kai has now been abducted.

There's even a recording of Kai's plea for help.

Kai's replacement is none other than Kiriko. THE END

CHARACTERS

Kai Murakami (Maya Shiraki) reporter

Kiriko Murakami (Mariko Kosaka)

Eiji (Taketoshi Watari) cameraman 

TV station president  (Yutaka Ikejima) 

RATING: ★★★★★★★☆☆☆ 7/10

REVIEW: I imagine most would regard this as hamfisted to the point of ridiculousness.  But exploitation films aren't known for their subtlety - and I found the message of media sensationalism spot on. Every scene is executed perfectly with no filler whatsoever, and many scenes are surprisingly artful. Add to that a healthy amount of sleaze, and you have yourself a banger.