Tokyo Eyes

This film, more than any other, has me convinced the critics are completely clueless. It is a perfect blend of everything great about French, Hong Kong, and Japanese storytelling.

Hinano Yoshikawa is vulnerable--and beautiful--throughout. Saying her acting was bad is like saying Juliette Lewis was bad in Cape Fear. If she really is so clueless in real life, well that was just genius casting. Shinji Takeda also gives a great, naturalistic performance.

The last 15 minutes is often criticized or misunderstood. This is really a case of French "who cares what it means, it's beautiful" meets Japanese "you should know what it means, we don't have to explain it." From an American screenwriting craft POV, one may say that it diverges too much from the preceding story, but...I was rapt to the screen and deeply satisfied when the credits rolled.

Critics of this film--and you should watch for this in the future--use phrases such as "something like" and "more or less." In criticizing Kitano's cameo, in particular, it is clear they have no idea what they're talking about. Anyone who is a big enough fan to have actually seen Kitano hit someone on the head with a giant hammer--purposely--will know that this is a classic Kitano performance.

The man shoots people but never kills them. This is not a thriller, it's a Tokyo life slices showing... with French eyes. It's amazing, sensual and incredibly modern.

When I saw the first scenes I had other Japanese movies ( e.g. Hanabi ) in my mind. I was somewhat disappointed because this is a French love film more like "Salt on our Skin" or Episodes of the Three Colors Trilogy. This means no violence, no action. In the end I came to like the film for exactly this fact.

My recommendation: watch this film with the one you love, so you have got something to do during the lengthy parts.

I have seen this film on TV, and I think I was right not to have bought a ticket to see this film in a cinema, because the actors, especially H.Yoshikawa, made me laugh, though they were not supposed to. I honestly think that this is not a bad film. I guess you will spend some nice time seeing his film, but you should not be too serious.

I've seen this movie four days ago and it still bothers me. This movie does not only give you an outline of what it must be to live in Tokio in the 90ties(as well as in any other big city), but transmits the atmosphere 100%! The actors do not talk much and still everything is said. The music is absolutely well chosen. I went out of the cinema with a feeling I never had before after watching a movie. It's like being understood for the first time. You must see this film! And if you like Takeshi, watch Takeshi's castle. If your neighbors complain about you laughing, invite them and they will understand.