Saturday, February 16, 2013
TWILIGHT OF THE GANGSTER GODS
Today's film by (and starring) Takeshi Katano was
This early film is about an aging gangster (yakuza) who has been sent to Okinawa to help another group in his hierarchy only to find that he has been betrayed by the big boss. A ploy to annex his hard-won territory.
Takeshi is the master of the stone face. He is, at the beginning, the boss who orders and punishes. As he is sent away with a small cadre he begins to loosen up and become a part of the group again. Aided by a few younger sidekicks who are loyal and yet not afraid to tweak his nose, the boss loosens up and plays some games of his own. Funny not deadly ones.
This long central part of the film is basically a seaside idyll filled with great cinematography, beautiful sea scenes and filled with joy.
So much the harsher is the last sequence in which, realizing he has been had, the boss goes back to settle scores.
The point of this film is that a life of violence never ends no matter how it may be interrupted. Stoic and philosophic to the end, the boss finishes his business in the style to which he, and we, have become accustomed in this fine film.
Takeshi's direction is very ritualistic. Violence erupts almost without warning and ends as quickly. Bystanders are agape. Nothing moves.
Red is a big color in this film. Blood.
I liked this film a lot.
I have planned to watch a lot of Takeshi's films later in the queue but this one was recommended so I just went ahead and watched it. I will probably see it again.
A 4 out of Netflix5.
