Vibrator

Probably the best Japanese movie of 2003, Hiroki's smart and very seductive adaptation of a feminist novel by Mari Akasaka effects a virtuoso marriage of form, emotion and atmosphere. Rei (stage actress Terajima in her first film role) is a self-hating professional with the usual eating disorders, a liquor habit - and voices in her head. One night, out buying wine, she falls in with the trucker Okabe (Omori, ubiquitous in Japanese movies since Ichi the Killer). During their long-haul drive in the cab of his truck, they explore each other sexually, tell each other lies and slowly move towards knowing themselves better. Rei's consciousness (expressed through intertitles, voice-overs and the 'voices' she hears) is the core of the film, and Okabe's very physical presence is the object which transforms it. Great performances, plus it's sexy, terrifically good-looking and has a fine C&W soundtrack.