Alice and Therese's Illusory Factory

Maboroshi: The Factory of Illusions is not exactly an easy film to watch. For nearly the entire first half, I found myself watching the story without a clear grasp of what was unfolding, struggling to decipher the meaning behind most things. There was an enigmatic supernatural phenomenon at the center of it all, around which everything revolved. However, explanations were sparse, and the narrative delved into other plotlines, incorporating elements of romance and coming-of-age. Still befuddled by the setting, I couldn't fully engage with these plotlines, leaving me wondering about the authors' intentions. It wasn't until halfway through that the pieces started to fall into place, revealing abstract yet intriguing concepts that the film had been hinting at earlier. Is it original? Undoubtedly! Did it resonate with me as a viewer? Not quite, as I had missed some crucial details in the initial confusion. Regrettably, the second half of Maboroshi showcases its strengths, unveiling many interesting and fundamental ideas. Despite the attempt to provide context earlier, these ideas seemed to fall on deaf ears for me, making it challenging to fully appreciate the emotional finale. It felt like too much was happening simultaneously, with an overwhelming amount of plot crammed into the latter half, making it hard for my brain to absorb it all. Is Maboroshi a bad film? I don't think so. Is it poorly executed? Personally, I think so, but maybe it's just me. Did I enjoy it? Honestly, not really. The first half left me confused, and I struggled to keep up with the second half. While I recognized the film's power and quality and understood the main ideas, it didn't quite click for me as a whole. One aspect worth commending is the visual and musical elements; both are striking and impressive. The sound design, too, is solid in my opinion. Despite these high production values, they couldn't elevate my rating higher than a weak and confused above-average score. Perhaps, after some time to reflect and clear my head, I might give it another chance. But for now, 5.5/10. (15/01/2024)