A beautiful artist anticipates dying at the hands of a hypnotized assassin for a Chinese Triad, but he instead becomes her lover and protector amid a brutal war with a Yakuza clan.A beautiful artist anticipates dying at the hands of a hypnotized assassin for a Chinese Triad, but he instead becomes her lover and protector amid a brutal war with a Yakuza clan.A beautiful artist anticipates dying at the hands of a hypnotized assassin for a Chinese Triad, but he instead becomes her lover and protector amid a brutal war with a Yakuza clan.
- Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination total
Tchéky Karyo
- Detective Netah
- (as Tcheky Karyo)
Yôko Shimada
- Lady Hanada
- (as Yoko Shimada)
Featured reviews
I've never supported the idea of discussing underrated or overrated action movies, because basically, they are all the same. Crying Freeman proved me wrong and I am thankful. Even a 90s action might earn your respect.
Yo Hinomura/Freeman is an assassin who is captured killing Yakuza mobsters. As he risks his life in a bloody battle for leadership and respect, a beautiful woman falls in love with him, offering her help.
First, I want to note that Crying Freeman is one of the most beautiful action movies, ever shot. It's not the "gunshots" that make it attractive. It's not the experimental directing style that provokes your curiosity. It's the lightly, rhythmical plot development. There are a couple of very beautiful shots that you'll never find in a Steven Segal film. The creators show how much they care about that story which is based on anime series. I always like movies that are made out of artistic passion and love for the particular genre.
Crying Freeman, unlike most 90s "boom-boom" flicks, tells a story about honor and human will. Freeman is a perfectly shaped character, quite likable, although he is not "the guy who saved the world". Silent and prepared, dangerous and wise. I never asked for such things before watching the movie and I am sure nobody has. Maybe that is why I loved it.
It's the depth of the story that made the movie very different for me. This is arguably one of a kind film that depends on its own style. Crying Freeman is almost modest and unambitious which is something, I personally, haven't seen in the past couple of year. Christophe Gans's movie promises to remain a classic if future generations manage to look through its "soul".
Of course, comments about the cast could hardly be made. Due to realism purposes, the creators have gathered a cast of almost unknown performers who do their best and in my opinion, succeed, delivering good performances.
The bad points are almost imperceptible. I kinda disliked how some scenes are way too dark. I've always hated that in movies. Yes, it is more authentic, but you can easily miss a character being killed or something like that. I had hard times, recognizing the villains in the third act, because some of them are killed in the first half on the movie.
Crying Freeman makes us realize we were in a big mistake. There are action movies about moral values.
Yo Hinomura/Freeman is an assassin who is captured killing Yakuza mobsters. As he risks his life in a bloody battle for leadership and respect, a beautiful woman falls in love with him, offering her help.
First, I want to note that Crying Freeman is one of the most beautiful action movies, ever shot. It's not the "gunshots" that make it attractive. It's not the experimental directing style that provokes your curiosity. It's the lightly, rhythmical plot development. There are a couple of very beautiful shots that you'll never find in a Steven Segal film. The creators show how much they care about that story which is based on anime series. I always like movies that are made out of artistic passion and love for the particular genre.
Crying Freeman, unlike most 90s "boom-boom" flicks, tells a story about honor and human will. Freeman is a perfectly shaped character, quite likable, although he is not "the guy who saved the world". Silent and prepared, dangerous and wise. I never asked for such things before watching the movie and I am sure nobody has. Maybe that is why I loved it.
It's the depth of the story that made the movie very different for me. This is arguably one of a kind film that depends on its own style. Crying Freeman is almost modest and unambitious which is something, I personally, haven't seen in the past couple of year. Christophe Gans's movie promises to remain a classic if future generations manage to look through its "soul".
Of course, comments about the cast could hardly be made. Due to realism purposes, the creators have gathered a cast of almost unknown performers who do their best and in my opinion, succeed, delivering good performances.
The bad points are almost imperceptible. I kinda disliked how some scenes are way too dark. I've always hated that in movies. Yes, it is more authentic, but you can easily miss a character being killed or something like that. I had hard times, recognizing the villains in the third act, because some of them are killed in the first half on the movie.
Crying Freeman makes us realize we were in a big mistake. There are action movies about moral values.
This film received such an unfortunate review in my TV guide that I would not have chosen to watch it. I was sitting in bed with a book, completing the wearisome process of taking my medication when my partner changed channels. I said 'I know what this movie is' & provided him a synopsis. (He went to sleep.) I was hooked from the opening scenes on the cliff. The style of the film still seems somewhat simplistic but neverless has enormous impact. This film hits on a far deeper level than outright action. Perhaps it is the trapped feelings of the lead characters which forms the basis of interaction for the viewer. I still don't know but I find that I must buy the dvd. This film made me feel and that is so rare nowadays.
As a Korean, I am very surprised to see how well foreigners understand the special culture of Chinese and Japan.
The idea that some Buddhists established an legendary organization and trained a legendary assassin called "freeman" and whenever China was in trouble, the organization helped to avoid or overcome the trouble situations. so it was given respect by Chinese is to come from the traditional chivalry story of China. in fact, the movie "First of Legend" acted by "Jet li" has the same context with this. "Crying Freeman" also reflects the culture of Yakuza Organization in Japan well. for example, Yakuzas like to have a dragon tattooed upon their bodies and if the boss died, the successor married the boss' wife. and so on.
I felt as if I was seeing the movie produced by Chinese or Japanese. and I could enjoy it even more interestingly than other foreign movies.
The idea that some Buddhists established an legendary organization and trained a legendary assassin called "freeman" and whenever China was in trouble, the organization helped to avoid or overcome the trouble situations. so it was given respect by Chinese is to come from the traditional chivalry story of China. in fact, the movie "First of Legend" acted by "Jet li" has the same context with this. "Crying Freeman" also reflects the culture of Yakuza Organization in Japan well. for example, Yakuzas like to have a dragon tattooed upon their bodies and if the boss died, the successor married the boss' wife. and so on.
I felt as if I was seeing the movie produced by Chinese or Japanese. and I could enjoy it even more interestingly than other foreign movies.
"Crying Freeman" is a great movie. I've seen the movie at least 10 times & I still feel like I'm watching it for the first time. Fortunately, for me I've got the movie on tape format.
The actions in the movie are a bit annoying to some, but it is to intensify the plot. There's no obvious funny/comedic elements in the movie, but I have found some scenes that amuse me. It's not obvious but it is logical to the plot. And the fun of it comes naturally. The romance between Yo & Emu is poignant. It always get me blushing through the movie. An old fashion yet evergreen kind of romance. For rating, 11/10. Though I do know that's not 'legal'. But in my book, it is!!
The actions in the movie are a bit annoying to some, but it is to intensify the plot. There's no obvious funny/comedic elements in the movie, but I have found some scenes that amuse me. It's not obvious but it is logical to the plot. And the fun of it comes naturally. The romance between Yo & Emu is poignant. It always get me blushing through the movie. An old fashion yet evergreen kind of romance. For rating, 11/10. Though I do know that's not 'legal'. But in my book, it is!!
Did you know
- TriviaJulie Condra and Mark Dacascos met and co-starred in this film, and then they married in real life.
- GoofsYo is clearly naked when he approaches Emu's bed, but after the love scene he suddenly has a white jockstrap on.
- Quotes
Shido Shimazaki: "The Sons of the Dragon" exist! And so does the Freeman!
- Crazy creditsLeaves Wrangler: insert unit, Los Angeles - Gilles "James" I
- ConnectionsReferenced in Fulltime killer (2001)
- SoundtracksActive Lion
Performed by the Fung Hang Orchestra
Courtesy of Fung Hang Record Ltd.
- How long is Crying Freeman?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- FRF 30,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime
- 1h 42m(102 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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