Brother

Brother (2000)

  • 47% of critics liked it
    (73 reviews)

  • 77% of users liked it
    (8,565 ratings)

Internationally acclaimed director and Japanese media phenomenon Takeshi Kitano follows up his well-regarded Kikujiro with this straight-ahead gangster saga with a cross-cultural twist. The film focuses on Yamamoto (Kitano), a yakuza forced out of the country when a gang war all but wipes out his… More

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In Theaters
Jun 1, 2001 Wide
Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

  • Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

    Singularly unexciting for an action film, and working up enthusiasm for it is difficult.

  • Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

    Kitano's most enjoyable, flat-out fun movie, provided you can stomach the violence.

  • Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

    As an actor and writer-director, Mr. Kitano projects an amused irony that makes his films worth seeing.

  • Desson Thomson, Washington Post

    Just how many acts of self-inflicted finger amputations do I really want to see?

  • Mark Rahner, Seattle Times

    Sure to satisfy fans of the laconic auteur.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • xGary X


    When an uncompromising Yakuza leaves Japan to prevent the ignition of a gang war, he joins his brother, a small time drug dealer in America and shocks both his friends and enemies with his ruthless brutality. But when their fledgling organization reaches the attention of the mafia,… More

  • Anthony L


    Something was lost slightly when Kitano decided to come over to the west and make an English speaking film. The supporting cast were such in awe of him and it showed on film and made for uncomfortable viewing. That said, this film contains one of the most shocking and unexpected… More

  • El Hombre I


    If you don't know Beat Takeshi let me explain; He's a different type of badass. He doesn't have great karate skills or runs around hanging from helicopters and jumping away from explosions in slow motion and what not. Even without a language barrier, he doesn't say… More

  • Pierluigi P


    Takeshi Kitano creates a peculiar, paused, funny, highly violent but somewhat touching clash between the eastern and western underworld.

  • Tsubaki S


    A compendium of ideas that Kitano has previously explored, and with far better results, in Sonatine, Violent Cop and Hana Bi. Not a bad effort per se, it just feels like a long deja vu, and eventually becomes just a shooting gallery for Kitano. Don't get me wrong, watching Kitano… More

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

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