Kathleen Joyce L.

Sollano January 18, 2019

BSED 4

The Relationship between One’s Performance and Identity: A Psychoanalytic Criticism

of the film “Perfect Blue”

The relationship between identity and one’s performance of themselves is at the

core of most of Kon’s works. Perfect Blue is a dark, intense, swirling and often

nightmarish experience that constantly makes viewers question reality. Satoshi Kon, the

director of the film, explored this in our relationship with the entertainment, our work and

our dreams. In different combinations of these interrelated identities, he found terror,

drama, and beauty through the ways they clash or fuse. This self-relationship is a source

of terror and uncertainty in the film, Perfect Blue. The film centers around Mima Kirigoe,

a retired pop idol who decides to kick-start her career as an actress by starring in a

television thriller. To shed her innocent persona, she undergoes some controversial

changes that only further jeopardize her public image and her well-being.

At the end of the film, Rumi was taken to a psychiatric ward to be treated for

her split personality disorder. This gives Mumi closure, as she now knows who is

responsible for both the murders and the “Mima’s room” blog. This reaffirms her sense of

identity which results in the movie’s final line.