Gonin

Mikihiko Bandai is a disco owner whose business has been severely affected by the economic downturn. He is in massive debt to the Yakuza, and has no way to pay them back. After a scuffle in his disco, Bandai decides to rob the Yakuza, enlisting the help of an ex-cop, a gay hustler, an unhinged salaryman and a Thai pimp. The five pull off the robbery, but in a most frantic and unprofessional fashion, and the Yakuza subsequently hire a couple of deranged sadomasochistic hitmen to track down and take out the thieves. So begins a game of cat and mouse, where Bandai and his crew struggle to stay ahead of impending death, in Takashi Ishii's 'Gonin.'

A corker of a crime film, 'Gonin' is an unpredictable and entertaining trip across Tokyo in the company of wild and crazy fellows that one will find hard to forget. Written and directed by Ishii, his tale is full of unexpected moments and biting, pulpy dialogue, as well as featuring brilliantly realized, distinctive characters and a fantastic ending. The heist sequence is thrilling, while the ensuing hunt is one full of tension and suspense. The film also examines the nature of homosexual relationships with particular regard to power dynamics, and how these can be both healthy and unhealthy, while still containing genuine affection among those involved.

To expand upon this point further, there are two sets of homosexual couples in the film, one of which is based upon affection and respect, the other of which is based on sadomasochism and violence. While Ishii clearly makes the healthiness of these relationships distinct from one another, both are based on love and a deep need for connection. Though perhaps a somewhat cursory investigation, Ishii's exploration of homosexuality in all its' forms is most interesting, giving the film another dimension for viewers to ponder.

'Gonin' features arresting cinematography from Yasushi Sasakibara, who makes excellent use of light and shadows to reinforce the darkly mysterious tone of the film. His work under Ishii's direction is fitful and evocative of noir, exuding at times a dreamlike quality that makes the irregularity of the narrative all the more potent. Akimasa Kawashima's editing is intuitive and intelligent- no scenes go on too long, nor does the film's determined and frantic pace ever lose momentum. It is a supremely fine picture in visual terms, with much to laud over on the technical side of things.

Additionally, Goro Yasukawa's score is dramatic and stirring, giving to the proceedings a mournful quality that heightens the narrative impact. Alicia Hayes's costume design is also of note, especially her crocodile skin outfits for the gay hustler, which adds both to his characterization and to the depth of the picture's detail. On the whole, 'Gonin' is an achievement on practically every level; and a very memorable one at that.

The film features an ensemble cast, though Koichi Sato is the ostensible star, playing Bandai. He delivers a performance of unwavering certainty and resolve; were this film 'Oceans 11' he would be Frank Sinatra: calm, cool and consistently collected. Masahiro Motoki co-stars as the gay hustler and seriously impresses with his range of emotions and mastery of understatement. The character becomes something of the emotional heart of the film, and Motoki will move any viewer with heart left enough to stir.

Also worth mentioning from the cast are Naoto Takenaka and Takeshi Kitano, playing the unbalanced salaryman and the leader of the hitmen, respectively. Takenaka showcases the madness of his role wonderfully, going rather over-the-top, but not in an offensive way; remaining sympathetic- though utterly insane. Kitano all but steals the show as the sadistic, gay hitman, a role echoing the one he played in his previous 'Boiling Point.' He is terrifying, sometimes a little humorous; and always captivating to watch. Though he has less screen time than Motoki, Sato or Takenaka, Kitano really makes his presence known, dominating the latter half of the movie completely.

A colorful, commendable crime caper, Takashi Ishii's 'Gonin' is a marvelous movie sure to entertain and thrill audiences everywhere. Featuring an original, wild story full of sharp dialogue and well-rounded characters, the film is an unpredictable as it is enjoyable. Boasting strong performances from an ensemble cast, an assured visual style and a fine score from Goro Yasukawa, there is very little not to commend about the picture. If you are a fan of crime fiction, watch 'Gonin;' it shouldn't disappoint.

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.

The Five (1995), directed by Takashi Ishii, is a dark and thrilling crime drama that keeps its audience on edge from start to finish. The film follows five men who plan to steal a large sum of money from the local yakuza, only for their plot to unravel in unexpected and dangerous ways. As the men are hunted by contract killers, the tension escalates, leading to a series of unpredictable twists and turns. The film effectively combines elements of action, crime, and suspense, offering a gritty and compelling ride.

The performances by the ensemble cast, including Kôichi Satô, Masahiro Motoki, and Jinpachi Nezu, stand out. Each actor brings depth and authenticity to their character, capturing the fear, desperation, and camaraderie of the group. The characters are flawed and morally ambiguous, which adds layers to the narrative and makes the stakes feel personal. While their motivations aren't always fully explored, their performances do enough to establish emotional stakes, making the audience invested in their fate.

Takashi Ishii's direction is sharp and purposeful, drawing out the tension in both quiet and explosive moments. The pacing of the film, while occasionally slow during reflective scenes, keeps building toward the inevitable chaos. The narrative does not shy away from violence, which is depicted in a raw and unflinching manner, adding to the harsh realism of the world the characters inhabit. This intensity is one of the film's strong points, as it keeps viewers on edge, unsure of what will happen next.

The cinematography is dark and moody, perfectly capturing the grim atmosphere of the yakuza underworld. The stark visuals enhance the sense of danger and moral ambiguity surrounding the characters. The film's visual style complements the grim tone of the story, creating an immersive experience that pulls the viewer into its world of betrayal, desperation, and violence.

The Five is a well-executed crime thriller that delivers both tension and unpredictability, though its focus on action and violence may overshadow deeper character development for some viewers. Nonetheless, the strong performances and gripping narrative make it an engaging film for fans of the genre.

Rating: 7/10. A tense and compelling crime thriller with strong performances and unpredictable twists, but its reliance on violence may detract from emotional depth.

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)

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!!!