Which is more painful, hanging yourself, or cutting your throat?
The movie “Double Suicide” is different in its play-like progression of plot with dramatic dialogue and stage-like sets. Despite its rather simple setup, it is not for the faint of heart because of its glorification of suicide and other themes, reflective of the time of its making, which are questionable. From these lines we gather that Koharu is questioning Jihei’s and her decision to commit suicide as lovers. This questioning of her decision throughout the movie intensifies the uneasy (sickening) atmosphere of the movie.
If you get a divorce it will be your fault.
Osan’s father comes to their house not only to warn Jihei about his misdemeanor and neglecting of his wife, but also to warn his daughter to do whatever it takes to protect the marriage. It is another one of the questionable themes reflecting the times portrayed in the movie, i.e. blaming the wife for the husband’s promiscuous actions.
I’m a woman like any other. Why can’t I fall in love, like any other?
The dehumanization of Koharu, who is a sex worker, is another important theme portrayed in the movie. Because of the nature of her job, she is seen as inhuman, unable to love or experience other human emotions. This also shows her reluctance to commit suicide, which makes the climactic scene in which Jihei stabs her thus more disturbing.
