Director Takahito Hara's "Beppin Town/The Beautiful Women's City (1989)" is a flick pulled straight from the shadows of Haku Kenjo's mind. Kenjo, a man who knew the inside of a juvie hall like the back of his hand, penned the novel it's based on. Whether much got lost in translation from page to screen, who's to say? But what you do get is a damn entertaining ride, largely thanks to Kyôhei Shibata.
Shibata embodies the kind of private dick who runs on Corona beer and gets into fight with a knuckle duster. This isn't his first rodeo; he's a former juvenile instructor who knows the rulebook cover-to-cover, probably even wrote a chapter or two. So, when he takes a gig to find a missing 16-year-old, Machiko Nakajima, daughter of the big shot Nakashima Pearl President, he slides into it with a cool, almost detached air.
What unfolds is a slick drama with grit and atmosphere to keep you hooked. Shibata's a do-gooder drifter navigating the neon-lit streets of Kobe. He's got a knack for dispensing anti-marijuana wisdom to teens-"I was 16 once too, kid"-and untangling the messy threads. He's a magnet for trouble, drawing a line as he tries to make sense of the chaos swirling around him.
And yeah, there are laughs. Shibata has this surprisingly smooth, almost deadpan way of talking girls down from suicide, making those serious moments strangely funny. Then there's the running gag with Mr. Toh, the tailor, which is gold. Every time Toh corners Shibata, it's a relentless sales pitch for a new suit, a comedic thread that comes full circle when Shibata finally caves. Toh's best line? "Can't even handle the trash, no wonder your wife left you." Ouch.
Now, for the kickass action. It's a brutal ballet, especially in that infamous house where the rich guys pay to watch rape of teen through a glass pane. That's where Shibata unleashes hell. The knuckle duster gets a workout, and the crimson palette painted on the windows is artfully staged, delivering a real visual punch that's both shocking and stylish.
The ending, involving Akiki, felt a little like a love chase-a bit stretched, maybe even old-fashioned. But hey, it's another era, and it holds its own charm. The music's decent, nothing to write home about, but it effectively sets the mood.
Ultimately, "Beppin no Machi" is a technically sharp piece of work, with camera work that's on point. It's got everything: action, thrills, noir vibes, and it deftly dances between being serious and light comedy. It's pure '80s Japanese cinema, a balancing act that mostly keeps you entertained. While some parts lean into style over substance, it's just a few steps shy of greatness. If you're hoping for a traditional, hardboiled crime thriller, you'll be disappointed.
However, for a lazy evening where you crave something with bite and a generous dose of '80s Japanese mood, this film absolutely hits the spot.
