Sailor Suit and Machine Gun

Okay piece, on the surface, this film resembles a standard yakuza or idol film. The film lacks the enticing violence of the yakuza genre and the self-absorbed camerawork of idol films, making it more like a teen coming of age tale.

It places a strong emphasis on a compelling story and a visually delectable range in cinematography. The story was very progressive for 1980s Japan, and the gang treated a woman like their Oyabun. At the forefront of the film is the incredible acting by pop idol Hiroko Yakushimaru, her performance throughout brings the film together.

Accompanying the illustrious score is impeccably expressive and technical cinematography, focusing on a beautiful mix of static, wide angle shots as well as long take aesthetic

Those who are expecting an adrenaline-fuelled action adventure may be disappointed. The film, as previously mentioned, is a teen coming-of-age tale with a bizarre underwater setting, rather than an urban crime drama, leaving the final product somewhat confusing for those who are unaware of its intentions.

It could receive a remake with another perspective of the work and would probably be successful with the public and the current zeitgeist.

What a shame. The only good thing about this deservedly obscure cheapie is the idea. To work properly, a comic caper like this one needs plenty of action, well-measured pace, strategic shots of comedy, and at least some sympathy for the characters. Above all, timing is critical. Perhaps the biggest flaw is the timing is simply not good enough. There are long introspective segments which do not add to the story, separating the too-few action sequences. When the fighting starts, it usually does not make a lot of sense, and jarrs rather than thrills. There is some character-based comedy, but the film is so poorly pieced together that the pathetic gangsters rarely raise a chuckle.

The direction is sloppy at best. The script needs work. The pacing is completely off. And the actors are, frankly, not very good.

A sad misfire.

It's really not very good and after after a while I decided to stop watching the film once I had enough to see the sailor suit get out the machine gun and that would be it. No although she made the yakuza at the top she never really wanted to get out the gun. I entered watching the old film but it was still not very good and I can to the idea that it was a film for teens and was never going to get anything other than being sweet and singing. And although rather sweet, but not shouting she wasn't very wonderful although youngsters would might like it.

What sells it is the main characte,r she is wonderful to see on the screen, just looking around being cute, but, Assertive, and just takes the scream.

It's a really nice useful energy to the movie and it reminds me of a children's movie but then something really dark happens and we could grab back to reality.

There's one really impressive long shot in the movie, and it's hard to hate those goofy Yakuza in her group.

The story goes so many different directions and is so interesting but still hard to follow, It is delightful confusing but still entertaining.

Movies biggest problem would say is it's a bit too slow, I did watch that directors extended version but still I wish it was cut down, but still a fun and memorable movie.

This was probably the young Hiroko Yakushimaru's most successful role in what was then the beginning of her career. She plays Koizumi, a high school student (hence the sailor suit part of the title) whose father passes away and by virtue of bloodline becomes the leader of a small Yakuza gang. The movie has some comic moments just from the concept, that a girl could run this somewhat motley group of guys. However, it is Miss Yakushimaru's performance that really makes this film. One moment sh'e weak, the next strong, one minute playful, the next serious, one minute a girl, next on the cusp of womanhood. One of the things I like about this film was they didn't complicate it by giving her a love interest. She gets to make mistakes, be tough and be a female in a male dominated world without there being too much reference to her attractiveness. Miss Yakushimaru has since gone on to make other films, including playing the wife in the two excellent Always Sunset On Third Street films, but this is her more or less at the beginning. I think you'll like it.