Pale Flower (Criterion) (n/a Quebec)

This is an absolutely beautiful yakuza film by Masahiro Shinoda. It is much deeper and thought-provoking than typical yakuza b-movies, which glorify violence and the gangster lifestyle. However, this is not a b-movie, but more of a poetic and artistic yakuza noir. It was films like this, and the famous yakuza films by Kinji Fukasaku - such as the 'Battles without Honor' series, and 'Graveyard of Honor' - that redefined the yakuza genre into morality plays that were highly critical of the criminal aspects of Japanese society. Thus, the film is not action-packed, but much slower in pace, which actually makes it much stronger.

This edition, released by Home Vision Entertainment, has a good transfer and picture quality, and the film also boasts a very good score. The music is especially powerful near the end of the film. Overall, it is a must for anyone who likes yakuza films, film noir, or Japanese cinema.

What can I say about a blu-ray Criterion black and white Japanese yakuza film so well executed that I have to watch it over and over? What can I say about purposely semi-overblown whites melting into grays and the blackest of blacks to create an magnificently incredible viewing experience? Nothing. Of course one has to appreciate film to appreciate this type of film. Don't get this one if you enjoy vhs or have ADD- it's not very long, but you just won't get it. If you are new to this type of film and you can handle subtitles you need to see this....

(4 1/2) stars. "Pale Flower" is the complete movie package, with a strong primary story but also good looks in terms of how it takes advantage of its black & white, retro-style, and eye-catching lead characters. Unlike many other Japanese films of this genre and time period, the music was also a good fit and didn't suffer from trying to sound too "western".

The movie explores two people, a criminal and a criminal wannabe, who both seek a fast life they know is meaningless, who want to find something more even as their gut tells them there is nothing more to be found. The power of the film shows how easily people can be fooled by, and try to fill their live's with, superficial actions that provide only a temporary rush and escape. The characters know this, but feel life's other options are just as pointless or beyond their reach. Ryo Ikebe puts in a strong performance and oozes cool, I'm not sure why I haven't seen him in more leading man roles.

It is easy for the viewer to get seduced by the superficial highs as well, as you find yourself rooting for two very charismatic people who, while not outright evil, are certainly not trying to leave any meaningful mark on the world (being a killer doesn't help much of course). They know it is all a facade however, on the one hand feeling they should try to live the "decent life", but not enough to run the risk of being mired in the tedium of everyday catchings.

The 1960's Japanese gangster world of gambling is interesting, including playing some games I had never seen before, but serves mostly as a convenient backdrop to a movie that is primarilly about the human condition. Don't expect any happy endings here. While the climax of the movie is abrupt and ultimately feels unsatisfactory, it is never the less probably an appropriate ending that just comes too soon for a movie you don't want to stop watching, and for characters you care about even when you know their is little worth admiring. What sometimes looks like an attempt at heroism or honor might have just as much to do with a willingness to trade one bad set of circumstances for another. In the case of Ikebe's character, perhaps the best thing he can do is to remove himself from other people's lives before the corrupting influence of his presence can have its full effect.

Compared to some of Criterion's other Japanese movies from this era, this one is more of a "gritty" noir style despite its parallel retro good looks. While most of the characters dress like they could be out of a Japanese 007 Jame Bond, this is not a "pop" movie like Suzuki's "Branded to Kill". The closest I have seen to this is some of the material in Eclipse Series 17: Nikkatsu Noir (The Criterion Collection), but all of those suffer from some minor problems. "Pale Flower" is clearly the best of the bunch.

If you've already seen this and want to see a different film that also focuses on two people addicted to gambling, albeit with a totally different backdrop and with character's you can root for, also see Oscar & Lucinda Oscar & Lucinda. It's an English movie and in color, so if you're looking for more asian films by Criterion it may not be your cup of tea. And if you haven't seen "Pale Flower" yet, it is an excellent movie and definitely worth adding to your foreign film collection.

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