Fantasia 2018: LOUDER! CAN’T HEAR WHAT YOU’RE SINGIN’, WIMP! Review – Pure Insanity Turned Up to 11
Starring Sadao Abe, Riho Yoshioka
Written by Satoshi Miki
Directed by Satoshi Miki
Sin (Sadao Abe), a rock superstar, is screaming his lyrics to a sold-out crowd when his larynx suddenly erupts into a firehose of blood…and that’s not an exaggeration. After years of doping with vocal-enhancing steroids, Sin is now at risk of losing his prolifically powerful voice forever. In a stroke of wild serendipity, Sin meets his foil: Fuka (Riho Yoshioka). A mousy street musician, Fuka is ridiculed for her faint vocals. Through a series of incidents too bizarre to summarize, Sin asserts himself as a rock-n’-roll mentor to the fledgling performer. Together, they must fend off a whacky plot to destroy Sin’s career (and his legendary vocal chords).
I wish I could find the words to properly articulate how delightfully insane Louder! Can’t Hear What You’re Singin’, Wimp! is. It takes time to acclimate to the fanciful world of Satoshi Miki’s film. What starts as awkward and off-putting transforms into witty and charming. As one adapts to the absurdism, it’s impossible not to be enthralled by the slapstick performances, illogical plot turns, and the utter rejection of anything sensical. Miki orchestrates a ridiculous yet sincere film, which is anchored by the cast’s ability to match his level of crazy.
Louder! is a joyful experience because its colorful characters are brought to vibrant life by a committed cast. Given its refusal to conform to cinematic standards of normalcy, one might expect flippant performances founded in irony. However, the cast goes all in, as every character is portrayed with complete genuineness. Abe and Yoshioka lean into the weirdness with a sincerity that seeps from the screen. The supporting cast compliments the protagonists by amping up the crazy. Fuka’s family and landlords, Aunt Evil and Uncle Zappa, steal the show in the some of the film’s most hilarious moments.
The swirling cinematography, often composed without regard for aesthetics, adds to the outlandish nature of the film, but is also unpleasant to watch. Framing and lighting are afterthoughts in the frenzied camerawork. While some may argue that polish would dilute the punk-rock, eccentric vibe, I’d counter that the oddity of the story and characters is powerful enough on its own. I can’t help but wonder how infinitely watchable the film might be with a different cinematic approach.
Infused with heavy-metal energy and goofy heart, Louder! had my cheeks hurting from all the smiles and laughter. One moment, I was dying over a deftly executed Nic Cage joke that flew out of left field like a bat out of Hell. The next, I was charmed by the sweetness of Fuka’s quest to find her voice under the chaotic tutelage of Sin. The film’s transition from a mentor/student relationship to a romantic one felt unnecessary, even if it did result in one of the movie’s most epically funny gags. We have enough stories where an attractive young woman falls for a talented man at least twice her age. Thankfully, this didn’t distract from the film’s undeniable charisma.
Watching Miki’s inimitable vision unfold in a packed theater with the highly engaged Fantasia International Film Festival crowd was magical. This film comes alive with a raucous audience. If you are lucky enough to catch a theatrical screening, grab your friends and a sturdy helmet to protect yourself from this sledgehammer of absurdity.
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Louder! Can’t Hear What You’re Singin', Wimp!
Summary
Silly, sweet, and certifiably insane, Louder! Can’t Hear What You’re Singin’, Wimp! is the feelgood, heavy-metal comedy you’ve always needed in your life.
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