While many films in history have told stories from a male perspective, some directors boldly did so from the other side. While this is far more common in modern culture, touching on the female experience in society was almost unheard of in the ’60s and ’70s.
With a few examples of filmmakers daring to attempt to shine a light on the unfair treatment of women, in 1978, you have Meir Zarchi’s I Spit on Your Grave, which at the time was dubbed extremely unsettling and disgusting. Up for debate, in truth, it was a bold story about the excessive violence against women. Then from Japan came a director named Yasuzo Masumura, who often dove into a plot driven directly from the women’s point of view. Masumura is considered one of the most important post-World War II Japanese directors with a lasting legacy. Between 1957 and 1986, he directed over sixty films, including 1958’s Giants and Toys, 1966’s Red Angel, and 1969’s Blind Beast. All in different genres, in 1970, he co-wrote and directed a powerful film called Play It Cool.
Originally titled Denki kurage (でんきくらげ), Play It Cool (also known as Electric Jellyfish) was initially released in the Japanese market in May 1970 before making it across to the USA in November of the same year. With a minimal theatrical showing in Japan and the USA, it never became a massive hit. Relatively obscure, through the years, it has found an audience, and those who have seen Play It Cool agree it burns a lasting impression in your psyche.
The tale of Play It Cool follows a young girl named Yumi (portrayed by Mari Atsumi, a famous Japanese actress of the time who also had a successful music career) who is going to college to study fashion design. Born into a poor family, Yumi lives in a small apartment with her mother, Tomi (Akemi Negishi), and her lazy boyfriend. A geisha, Tomi, is trying to shield her daughter from the shady underworld of serving men. As a result, Tomi is justifiably raised with her guard up against men. Then, tragically, one day, when Tomi is at work, Yumi is knocked unconscious and assaulted by her freeloading boyfriend.
A brutal scene to watch, soon Tomi returns home, discovers what her boyfriend has done to Yumi. Appalled by what he has done to her daughter, she attempts to kick him out, but the man is reluctant, antagonizes the situation, resulting in Tomi retaliating against him with a kitchen knife. Now guilty of murder, Tomi is sentenced to prison, leaving Yumi to fend for herself in a world of those looking to take advantage of her.
Incredibly tragic and unsettling, you watch as Yumi goes from an innocent young woman with hopes of a better future to using her body as a weapon for money and power. Turning the tables against those out to exploit her and toss her aside, it might feel that Yumi prevails in this ugly fight, but the true devastation here is her stolen innocence and the jaded, cold person she becomes.
Striking and intense, Play It Cool projects little hope in a society dominated by those only looking to use others for personal pleasures, thus snuffing out any potential of their victims becoming free. Ultimately heartbreaking if you get to the root of the message, Play It Cool ranks up with some of the most profound female-centric motion pictures of the ‘70s era. That is why it is compelling to learn that Arrow Films has released it on Blu-ray as a limited edition release.
Put out on March 4, 2025, this new edition of Play It Cool marks the first time it is offered outside the Japanese market. It is astonishing to believe it took many years, and until now, no other DVDs or Blu-rays have been released of Play It Cool in the North American region. With this in mind, Arrow Films offers Play It Cool in a lovely new High Definition (1080p) presentation, and it is a true treat to those who recall the film’s lasting impression. With solid imagery, there is also original uncompressed mono audio and English subtitles to follow the story.
Furthermore, the new release includes a new audio commentary from Japanese Cinema Specialist Jasper Sharp and Japanese Literature Specialist Anne McKnight, a new video essay called Too Cool for School, a reversible sleeve with original and new artwork, and a nice collector’s booklet.
Well worth picking up, as alluded to, Play It Cool is rather intense. Perhaps not in an entirely grotesque manner, the concept of what is playing out in the story is what sincerely haunts you. For a profounded commentary on society and exceptionally well filmed, matched with what Arrow Films has put together, Cryptic Rock gives Play It Cool 4 out of 5 stars.
){kind=link}
No comment