10+ years ago, I saw the torture scene as a woman's bloody, uncensored vengeance upon a man who'd had the power to toy with her, and shape her future. Now, Audition no longer feels like a war-of-the-sexes with one victor. Instead, it's a sad commentary on a quagmire that seems more timely than ever, and leaves both sides debilitated. Maybe that's not as sexy and doesn't carry the same cultural cachet, but for me the film has finally moved beyond its iconic image. Deeper, deeper, deeper.
Teresa Nieman
February 8, 2017