Brother (UK)
The Yakuza takes on the Mafia
Certificate: 18
Running Time: 108 mins
Retail Price: £19.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
A film by Takeshi Kitano, the acclaimed director of Hana-Bi, Violent Cop and Boiling Point.
In Japan, the sworn brotherhood of the Yakuza is described as being “thicker than the blood of kindred brothers”. With his life under threat, disgraced Yakuza hard man Yamamoto escapes to Los Angeles in search of his half-brother Ken, a small-time drug dealer. Unable to speak the language and confused by his surrounding, Yamamoto teams up with Ken and his friend and fellow gang-member Denny. Soon Yamamoto finds himself back in the old routine. His ruthless efficiency in terrorising and killing rival gang members shocks even the blood hardened Americans, and before long Yamamoto’s gang is strong enough to join forces with a rival Japanese crime lord called Shirase.
The gang is now too big to be ignored, and they are quickly warned off by the Mafia. Yamamoto realises that there can be no turning back and as events draw towards their inevitable conclusion, the Yakuza learns that only Denny understands the ancient code of the “brotherhood”.
Japanese (subtitled in English) and English Language dialogue
Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Scene Access
Cast and Crew Interviews
On Location
Behind the Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitle Tracks:
English
Directed By:
Takeshi Kitano
Written By:
Takeshi Kitano
Starring:
Tatyana Ali
James Shigeta
Ryo Ishibashi
Ren Osugi
Lombardo Boyar
Royale Watkins
Susumu Terajima
Masaya Kato
Kuroudo Maki
Omar Epps
Takeshi Kitano
Soundtrack By:
Jo Hisaishi
Director of Photography:
Katsumi Yanagishima
Editor:
Yoshinori Oota
Takeshi Kitano
Costume Designer:
Yohji Yamamoto
Production Designer:
Norihiro Isoda
Visual Effects:
David Waine
John C. Hartigan
Producer:
Takio Yoshida
Peter Watson
Jeremy Thomas
Masayuki Mori
Shinji Komiya
Ann Carli
Distributor:
VCI
Film Four
Your Opinions and Comments
The film centres on Kitano as a Yakuza, who has gone to the US is search of his brother. Whilst in the US, his old Yakuza ways elevate his brother`s gang in the criminal world of LA where against his wishes, they go up against the mafia.
Kitano once again plays the lead character very well, as there is not much for him to say. Actors from his previous films as well as the western actors handle their respective roles superbly.
The visuals are good, and the sound performs it`s job. The extras are thin on the ground but, the biographical look at Kitano is very good indeed and acts an excellent introduction to Kitano and his work.
All in all, a great film given an average treatment.