Gonin

After all you only need three words to describe "Gonin" apt:

DARK

YAKUZA

THRILLER

Got it?!? If you want to know more check out my following review: A very explosive film indeed that seems if director Takashi Ishi had crossed Hollywood examples like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Thing to do in Denver when you´re dead", and added some stylish pictures and typical Asian gun violence to the result. "Gonin" is distinguished by a sinister and hopeless atmosphere as well as the great performances of his main actors. Once more, the appearance of the unique Takeshi Kitano makes the whole film!

Maybe not the greatest movie of Japan´s 1990s cinema, but still a great work and better than 90 % of all those Tarantino rip-off gangster flicks which come from America!!!

Unlike a lot of stylized American crime cinema, this was an unrepentantly dark film. Filmed with many shots for dark, dank, rainy streets and warehouses, the cinematography reinforces the bleakness of the situation the characters face. As the Japanese economy busts in the mid 1990's, a group of out of luck businessmen rob a crime boss of a large amount of money. The gangsters send a couple of hit men out to even the score with predictable results. (6 out of 10)

I watched Gonin about 3 times by now and still I have to say that it is a great movie even if evaluated under different perspectives. Each character is a profound mixture of different shapes. Out of a certain kind of despair every person in the movie develops its unique behaviour which is a result of their lifes they were living. Gonin includes many interesting themes such as homosexuality, childhood, fear and last but not least what life can make out of every person when it crushes upon you. Lately it appeared to me as if the modern hero has to be an introvert ruthless killer without emotion and basically I have to say that those tendencies are found in Gonin as well - Although it is rather an antihero who is presented in Gonin by the actor Takeshi Kitano in the role of the killer taken into service by the Yakuza-boss. The most remarkable scene as far as I'm concerned is the one where the story of the weird man, having lost his job, comes back home after they had stolen the money from the Yakuza. Gonin is a movie with great suspense and, if watched carefully, with profound and emotional content.

This film by Takashi Ishii should be more well known.

A night club owner, a extortionist, a pimp, an insane business man, and an ex-cop come together to create the title's team of Five to rob the Yakuza. As the film goes on, they are hunted by two pro killers that are seemingly around every corner.

The story itself is nothing groundbreaking, but the style makes it worth it. There are several elements Ishii uses to create this solid crime thriller.

The overall cinematography is excellent, presenting dark shadowy shots, which reflect the film's dark tone and settings.

The characters are also well done, each one's backstory slowly revealed as the film goes on. They're fairly unique and interesting, enough so that the audience can sympathize. Each actor puts on a satisfactory performance that is pretty realistic.

The soundtrack combined with the great directing constructs genuinely unsettling scenes.

Some parts here and there are a teeny tiny bit forced, but can be easily forgiven.

Many of this film's viewers come to see Takeshi Kitano, but he's only a small part of the whole thing. If you're disappointed, there is much more to this picture to look forward to. It's one of Beat Takeshi's best films he only acts in.

Ishii is well known for his manga art, but that should not over shadow his film making capability. I have not seen Gonin 2, but look forward to seeing it. He is know releasing a third, Gonin Saga which I am excited for.

I never understood why this movie got such bad reviews. I think it's because the people who watched it don't know much about Japanese society and how absolutely excruciating it can be! In Japan, you MUST be part of the group. As an individual, with your own free mind or choices, you're likely to get crushed.

In a way, this is what happens to all our "go nin", literally "five people". One can't make the transition from successful Japanese singer to nightclub owner (due to the Bubble bursting), another lost his job of 20 years. A third makes his living by extorting rich, homosexual man, but actually is homosexual himself (although he won't let anyone know, wearing a mask of kinds). One is a pimp who actually loves one of the girls he should look after, eventually leading to both their demise. And the last is a cop that went to jail for something he didn't do, losing his job and family that meant so much to him.

Society has taken from these men. It made them outcasts. Now you have to remember that the Yakuza started as exactly that! A group of people the feudal Japanese society shunned for their jobs, who in return formed groups to protect themselves. So what irony is it then that a group of outcast robs another group of outcasts? And is finally hunted down by a homosexual hitman couple in a dom/sub relationship, also being outcasts themselves.

From its excellent soundtrack to the beautiful, gritty way it is filmed, Gonin to me stands far above most of Kitano's other movies. I do like Brother and the Outrage saga is great. But Gonin, although hardly having Kitano in many scenes is the strongest of them all, probably because it goes against all mainstream and rules. I can definitely recommend this movie.