39 - Tokyo Drifter

[captainofbeef]

- A rare interview with director Seijun Suzuki

[criterionmaster]

Flat out amazingly choreographed, colored, and shot film. Every room in the film has a solid color to it. Every scene is a stylized masterpiece with shapes and objects that seem to be there for no reason other than to add style to that specific scene. It has been said that Tarantino was highly influenced by this film, and by Suzuki in general, and I can see why and can tell where.

The soundtrack to this film is perfect. The main theme adds and adds to every scene that it is sung in. The only “flaw” in the film, in my mind, is the script/plot, which isn’t enough in my eyes, but does it really need to be? I mean this film seems to be all about style and the plot is more an after thought which works for me. But after a while you realize what the film is about which is a man who is stuck in the mob and is trying to get out.

The wonderful editing in the film is specifically present during the white room shootout towards the end, which is one scene that has to be seen to be believed. It is a stylized, beautiful work of art that many people have tried to emulate but have never succeeded in my mind.

The performances are really spot on. Watari comes across as a true bad ass by the end of the film. An example of this is when he gets shot and just starts whistling like it was nothing.

I am sure that if you enjoy Kill Bill at all you will totally dig this film and the whole style, which hooked me in and dragged me through until the breathtaking finale. The last little bit of the film really could bring me to tears, it is so wonderful and really captures the feeling I had at the end. I can now see, after only one film, why Suzuki is regarded as one of Japans great filmmakers. I look forward greatly to checking out some more from this man and encourage you to do the same.

[captainofbeef]

I wanna see this SOOOO bad!!

[ie]

Okay, so not exactly related to this movie (seen it, thought it was good but not great), but:


Yesterday, a friend of mine told me that he bought two movies. One of them was Tokyo Drift. I honestly responded like this: Oh, Tokyo Drifter? The Criterion Collection...

And then.

Oh yeah, that Fast and the Furious movie. Oops.

He likes fast cars, so he likes it.


Anyways, I thought it was funny. And, guess what? It relates!