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'll 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 didn't
return for many years, hm? See, it's the honor crap that's been screwing around with his head. But 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 for 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.