The greatest movie ever made..!

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

How far can you go, away from society, just to pursue your passion? "Woman in the Dunes" touches this very subject by addressing social escapism. The co-habitation of the couple contrasts a man of his journey with a woman with her home. The theme is even expanded with one longing for freedom while the other clings to stability. Isn't that the common intersexual and mental differences between a husband and a wife or partners? When it comes characterization, this thriller-adventure brings about a fresh plot in that period, with no specific antagonist. One could interpret it as self, the other protagonist or even their collectivity. Still, lacking introduction of the heroes' background might puzzle some audience, although relieved with revealing dialog here and there. And I'm not sure if one could "appreciate" Hiroshi Teshigahara's style when focusing on trivial physical details of some characters. In short, the performance of both Eiji Okada and Kyôko Kishida makes the film relatable with some artistic editing techniques and metaphors in detail. I believe, therefore, in its possibility to remake in color to pay homage to this legendary Japanese director!

Kobo Abe's "The Woman in the Dunes" feels like it should already be part of the popular consciousness - like it was required reading in high school or something - part of everyone's shared cultural iconographic understanding. But what a delight it is to discover it unexpectedly, a little later in life when I can fully appreciate it! Humans' ability to adapt - like an insect - in harsh environments, one's gradual acceptance of one's circumstances and comfort in a routine which stifles ambition... These ideas get under the skin, the setting seeps into the unconscious mind like sand - sand which I can never look at the same again!Teshigahara's film adaptation - in which Abe was directly involved - is faultless; it has to be the most successful realization of a seemingly unfilmable book ever made. That they managed to bring this location to life, and make it absolutely believable and real, is an astounding feat. With perfect cinematography, a perfect score by the legendary Tôru Takemitsu, and fantastic performances, this is one of the greatest films of all time.I first watched the film four years ago, and I was blown away. I was absolutely glued to the screen; I'd never seen anything like it before. Now I've recently finished reading the novel and subsequently watching the beautiful new blu-ray version of the film. And I am further convinced: there is absolutely nothing like "The Woman in the Dunes". The novel or the film.The film moves briskly through the events of Part I & II of the novel (which is about 200 pages), spending more time on covering the crucial Part III (which is only 30 pages); it inevitably misses a lot of the psychological side of the book, as well as the sense of how much time is passing. So I highly recommend both, novel and film. I won't go so far as to recommend starting with one or the other, but in either case I do suggest you try to go in knowing as little as possible.I've done what I can to avoid giving away the plot in this review. Let it surprise you, and you may be as blown away as I was.

It's funny that before I saw this film I was thinking of moving to a different country. After seeing Suna no onna I changed my mind because (in my opinion) the transition to another culture and mentality can bring new things, good and bad in your life, whether you like it or not and the risk can bring consequences that are against you.The stunning cinematography reminds me of Antonioni's L'Avventura that made me feel like I was on another world. The script is brilliant and the direction is that of the work of a genius. I think it refers to the fact that there are very thew things needed to survive, even in a harsh environment. To accept this simple life style, of which it's basic component is a home filled with love is a difficult task if you come from a city in which you only think of your career and reputation. To see a character slowly transform and to erase everything that defined his identity, under the influence of a new world in which he has been sucked into fascinated me. You can feel that this new 'medium" is like a character that participates in the transformation.This is a 'must see" for anybody that is interested in Japanese cinema.

Moving effortlessly from the banal, the scientific, curious and the surreal to the unsettling, chilling, lonely, erotic, ugly and ultimately the deeply moving this is a truly remarkable film which was for me an accidental find.I've since viewed the other films in the trilogy of which this a part and while of interest, they lacked the raw simplicity of this film, with it's almost shocking, symbol-laden premise.Compelling performances with an extremely limited palette should make this art-house fodder but the depth of the characterisation transcends the gentle pace and simple plot. Highly recommended.