Die Kunst der Erpressung

This is a hilarious movie. Highly recommended, very funny. Not as original and unconventional as Tampopo but very well done. Also informative. If you ever wondered how the Yakuza manage to accomplish anything despite looking like such cornballs, this movie will explain it. An A-Z of Yakuza tactics ranging from simple intimidation to their sub rosa collaboration with various shady Japanese right-wing groups. Don't miss this movie.

This is a very fine movie, definitely worth seeing, but as much as being a good film, it tells Japanese that they can stand up and act for themselves. The Yakuza have been successful at intimidation because of the Japanese propensity to feel that something is "shikata ga nai", or there's nothing they can do about it. This movie has a final scene that shows people standing up in the face of very real threats to their safety. This is not so unusual in an American movie because, for all our collective faults, there is usually someone here who will not put up with injustice and will do something heroic to change it. This is still highly unusual in Japan, and the fact that Itami Juzo made this movie and then suffered a knife attack by Yakuza for doing so, will hopefully produce a few more heroes there.

Like many of Itami's comedies the plot is simple, fun, and interesting. If you have ever lived in Japan, you can relate to the characters, and if you haven't you can just enjoy the immersion. The Yakuza were, and remain, an unpleasant side of Japanese everyday life. This movie gives hope to those who have been intimidated by this profession. In this story Miss Inoue, a lawyer specializing in Yakuza extortion practices teaches a group of hotel employees how to better protect their hotel's future interests. This results in lots of laughs and a few tense moments. Itami is a master. Try "Tampopo" for something a bit more off kilter. Overall I give it 8 out of 10.

Minbo is Juzo Itami's most outrageous and entertaining film to date. Known as one of Japan's finest directors and one of its harshest social critics, Itami (who died, sadly, in 1997) took the yakuza head on in Minbo and produced a biting satire that packs more punch than a Jackie Chan double feature. Minbo is my second favorite of Itami's works, behind only the classic Tampopo. Unfortunately, I don't believe Minbo has been released on DVD. Try to get a copy on VHS. It's well worth it!

O.K., when is the last time you saw a movie where the lawyer was the hero, and female to boot? If you like underdog films, you will LOVE minbo. It is very cleverly done and successfully demonstrates a quick wit outsmarts a quick temper, every time. The sub-titles are good and the action quick paced. Lot's a comedy and Japanese over-acting make this film just plain fun.