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Feb 05, 2020Shuken_1989 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
"The Art of Self-Defense" is one of those black comedies that comes along and just locks in your focus. I found the cinematography and acting in this film absolutely engaging. The film follows the story of milquetoast accountant Casey Davies (Jesse Eisenberg) as he goes from being unremarkable to completely consumed by his passion for karate. Shortly after an incident of assault Casey finds himself in the dojo of the enigmatic and menacing Sensei (Alessandro Nivola), and slowly begins to become absorbed by Sensei's cult of personality based around the night class. Though through Casey's continued interactions with Sensei's lone female student Anna (Imogen Poots), and his experiences in Sensei's exclusive "night class" Casey begins to see that the dojo is something else entirely. The film's comedy comes in bouts, portrayed through Eisenberg's typically awkward and dry delivery as it is matched against Poot's aggressive yet dry delivery and Nivola's "in your face" menace. Well worth a watch for anyone who is a fan of the genre.