I know I am of the unpopular opinion, but the 70's has to be my least favorite decade of films to watch.  I know that many of Hollywood's most iconic films (Godfather, Rocky, Jaws, etc.) came out in the 70's, but something about the filming style and aesthetics of the decade always rubs me the wrong way. It doesn’t stop me from watching movies that have been released in that era, it just takes a push on my part to sit down and watch a movie from then.

Sweet Revenge (1977) or Flag in the Mist is crime/myster based on a novel from popular Japanese novelist Seicho Matsumoto published 1961. It tells the story of Kiriko Yanagida, a young woman from Kyushu whose older brother is wrongly accused of murder. She travels to Tokyo to the office of famed lawyer Otsuka to ask for his assistance in proving her brothers innocence. Otsuka refuses to take the case due to Kiriko’s inability to pay for his services. She returns home and her brother ends up being convicted of murder and commits suicide while serving his time in prison. Blaming Otsuka for her misfortunes she returns to Tokyo and plots to seek revenge against him.

Yanagida in the paper for being accused of murder

This novel has been adapted multiple times in Japan. Previous to this film another adaptation had been released in 1965, and in 2010 NTV aired a drama special in honor of 100 years of Matsumoto’s work.  Sweet Revenge takes on a familiar storyline coupled with an idol cast. The film probably appeals more to the Japanese audience of that time (or one who is familiar with it), than it would an American viewer like myself who’s largely unfamiliar with the Japanese entertainment industry of the 1970’s.

Kiriko Yanagida is played by Momoe Yamaguchi, a popular idol of the 70’s. Not only an actress but also a singer with many hits during her 8 or 9 stint in the industry. Her career was cut short after she married Tomokazu Miura who played the journalist, Keiichi Abe, which falls in love with Kiriko. The film plays a lot into the relationship between Kiriko and Abe then the actual mystery of who killed the victim that Kiriko’s brother is accused of murdering. From reading around I’ve come to understand that the other adaptations as well as the book had Keiichi as a more minor character, and his relationship with Kiriko is insignificant to the larger plots; who the real killer is and Kiriko’s revenge against Otsuka. Keiichi is a major character in Sweet Revenge, and the film is ultimately told from his perspective. By looking at the story from his perspective, the film does become melodramatic.

Keiichi (Tomokazu Miura) and Kiriko (Momoe Yamaguchi) arguing in the rain.

The director’s choice to frame the film in such a way could be driven by the fact that both Yamaguchi and Miura were the power duo of film during the 70’s, targeting a young-female Japanese audience. They had already been in five films together prior to Sweet Revenge. Yamaguchi does come off as skilled in her portrayal of Kiriko’s character. A sweet girl who becomes vengeful upon the death of her brother who was her sole family and provider. Every time the camera closed in on her face the expression in her eye was dark and vengeful, but still innocent. Miura didn’t impress as much, but it could simply be because there wasn’t much to his character. He also didn’t have that ‘charm’ a lot of my favorite male actors have (Takeshi Kaneshiro could play a rock and charm me). I could see why Momoe was an idol of the 70’s, her presence does call attention to the screen.

Kiriko (Momoe Yamaguchi) with Keiichi (Tomokazu Miura) after going to Otsuka's office.

 As a Crime/Mystery this film doesn’t really hit. There is only one small two or three minute scene that gives a glimpse of Otsuka coming back to Yanagida’s case where he ultimately solves it. The murderer himself is pretty random, and the audience never gets to know why this murder (as well as another) occur.  The actual plan for Kiriko to take revenge isn’t very thrilling or suspenseful, and I never felt like the revenge she enacts on Otsuka is granted. You don’t hate Otsuka, and feel bad that all these unfortunate things start happening to him.

 I think the story does carry a message or is critical of the way that the justice system is bought with people of power and money while the everyday citizens loses, but the film only makes glimmers of that point in instances such as Keiichi’s character alluding to Otsuka being bought to protect politicians. Subplots such as this do get lost by the film focusing its time on the relationship between Keiichi and Yanagida.

It wasn’t an unbearable movie to watch, but if you’re looking for a solid mystery and crime genre film this isn’t the one. If you’re a fan of Momoe Yamaguchi then maybe this would be a nostalgic or nice movie to watch.

 After watching this I think I may watch all the films with her and Tomokazu Miura in it and rank them from best to worst. Would that be of interest to anyone?

Let me know if you have seen this film and your thoughts on it!