Tôkyô pureibôi kurabu

Not your typical Playboy type movie and definitely don't go by the name. I'm still surprised how Japanese movies can make you so despondent and still love the movie. Not a classic but a good movie overall filled with raw emotions and a few laughs. Love the head banging Japanese song in the credits.

Japanese must be the weirdest nation on the planet....I became familiar with Japanese movies through Takeshi Kitano's work and ever since fell in love with this class type of work. Not a topical Hollywood movie but even better. The rythem of language even make it better.

Tokyo Playboy Club is a yakuza satire that walks off the beaten path and leaves a lasting impression. The movie revolves around the titular club that has almost no visitors. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't a lot of things going on. We have one of the hostesses who has just learnt that she is pregnant. We have the father of the child who is an unreliable employee and unfaithful romantic partner who attempts to steal money from his boss. Up next, we have an old friend of the boss who is known for his violent outbursts and immediately clashes with local yakuza upon arrival. The destinies of these different characters intertwine in absurd, emotional, humorous, surprising and violent ways throughout the film.

Needless to say that this movie's strongest element is the diversity of its eclectic characters. The acting performances are also convincing. The film walks off the beaten path which leads to a lot of anticipation for several unexpected series of events. The humorous elements are very dark and give the film a very unique identity. The moments of tension are enhanced by intense camera work, gloomy locations and clever lighting techniques. Violent outbursts happen both off and on screen and will give viewers some jolts.

This film is however not without its flaws. Despite the quirky story line, the film's pace is overall quite smooth and might not necessarily sit well with genre fans who appreciate the movies by Kitano Takeshi and Miike Takashi. The story takes some time to build up for instance as half of the movie is spent just introducing the main characters and their lives. The movie also leaves several questions unanswered and one key character is even completely absent during the climax.

Still, Tokyo Playboy Club is a wonderful hidden gem for fans of Japanese gangster movies. Its unique approach pardons for its few flaws and weak budget. This movie will leave a lasting impression and certainly deserves more attention. Please note that the North American DVD release features subpar subtitles that diminish the pleasure of enjoying this film. Let's hope that this film gets a better rerelease in the near future.