On Y List of Movie Reviews
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The Yakuza (1974)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
2/24
2/24:
Here's an interesting box-office failure in Robert Mitchum's oeuvre: The Yakuza.
The screenplay began with Paul Schrader, which is his first ever before achieving lasting fame for
Taxi Driver and
American Gigolo, along with his brother Leonard. But it was somewhat rewritten by Robert Towne to fit
what director Sydney Pollack wanted. In the meantime, I recognized one of the Japanese actors from
Black Rain: Ken
Takakura. A big star over there, he's not in American pictures that much, but he was a good actor.
There's a culture clash among Americans, Japanese, and bushido in The Yakuza which can be slow-paced at times.
Yet the story moves in a deliberate manner. Eventually, it becomes too much because, after all, who cares about honor? I rather
keep my pinky fingers intact. Thank you very much.
Yeah, if you want to be a Yakuza, as long you're a Japanese, you get to have a colorful display of tattoos on your body.
Anyway, Robert Mitchum is fine. There's a twist I didn't see coming which concerns Ken Tanaka, Eiji, and Hanako. Maybe the
husband should've gotten over it by moving on since Harry Kilmer left town and wasn't back until many years later, hm?
See, it's the honor crap that's been screwing around with his head. On the other hand, there's an old concept, and it's
called "divorce." He should give that a try, too.
There are a couple of terrific moments when the Americans were attacked with a nice touch of cinematography. However, the
last twenty minutes is overdone. So many Yakuzas to take down for two guys...riiiiiight. However, I like the shocking
ending when Robert Mitchum cut his own pinkie to atone what he did to Ken even though he didn't have to.
All in all, I love Black Rain, but The Yakuza was there first and is a decent film
in its own way.