Sonatine (1993)

88% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
88% of users liked it
(7,731 ratings)

Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker, comedian, television star, author, and all-around renaissance man Takeshi "Beat" Kitano stars in this unconventional take on the crime drama. Kitano portrays Murakawa, a successful Yakuza officer who has grown weary of the violent life, so much so that he has even… More Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker, comedian, television star, author, and all-around renaissance man Takeshi "Beat" Kitano stars in this unconventional take on the crime drama. Kitano portrays Murakawa, a successful Yakuza officer who has grown weary of the violent life, so much so that he has even considered retirement. Thus, he is not pleased when he is asked to lead a team to help defuse a gang war in Okinawa but agrees when he is assured it will be an easy job. It proves anything but, however, and he soon finds himself in the middle of a complex, bloody conflict. Fearing that he has been set up, Murakawa withdraws to a nearby coastal town. The film takes a trademark Kitano turn at this point, moving away from the standard crime drama plot to focus on what amounts to a gangster's summer vacation, with the killers playing frisbee on the beach and taking dancing lessons. Murakawa even finds a summer romance, falling in love with a local girl who is impressed by his way with a gun. This sunny idyll cannot last forever, however, and soon the realities of the criminal life catch up with them. Seen as a prime example of Kitano's style, Sonatine features a combination of deadpan comedy and unexpectedly romantic lyricism, periodically interrupted by shockingly sudden bursts of violence. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Takeshi Kitano
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

On DVD: Jan 13, 2004

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Sleek, punchy and altogether captivating.
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic
Gross and trite as the material is, Kitano shows again that he is an ingenious, purposeful filmmaker.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It shows how violent gangster movies need not be filled with stupid dialogue, nonstop action and gratuitous gore.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Kitano's haunting elegy to the gangster way of life.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Eliminates the one virtue American action films can legitimately claim -- vitality -- and replaces it with fake- existential claptrap wrapped in an inept narrative.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
[VIDEO] "Sonatine" is a lyrical picture of Japan's poker face toward the outrageous violence of its mob culture.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
bold and ballsy
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
This film resurrected the yakusa genre? It is amazing it didn't put it to sleep for good.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Haunting look at doomed yakuza gangster
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
A different kind of action movie.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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

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

Featured Audience Ratings

Bob S

Good, but I think Kitano's work got even better.
xGary X

A prosperous Yakuza is sent by his boss to settle a gang war between rival factions but when the violence escalates he begins to suspect that the whole situation is a set up designed to steal his turf. Sonatine is the film where Beat Takeshi began to perfect his trademark style of… More
A prosperous Yakuza is sent by his boss to settle a gang war between rival factions but when the violence escalates he begins to suspect that the whole situation is a set up designed to steal his turf. Sonatine is the film where Beat Takeshi began to perfect his trademark style of laconic, offbeat characters embroiled within a world of violence that is streaked with his blackest of the black sense of humour. It's probably one of the most laidback gangster films you will ever see, as despite the sporadic bursts of dramatic and extreme violence much of the film is spent with the off duty gangsters while they are bored and bonding on a sleepy beach front. In fact, the lack of glamorisation of the bloodshed and the unsentimental approach to the characters and their relationships make this pretty much the antithesis of the likes of John Woo and his ilk. Kitano instead prefers to show the ugliness of their lives in contrast to the unlikely friendships that are the result leading up to an affecting and unforgettable climax. Embellished by a soundtrack that is understated and sparse yet strangely beautiful - a perfect reflection of the film itself - Sonatine is a true original.
Anthony L

Violence and beauty go hand in hand in kitano's masterpiece! Brilliant!
Aaron N

An exestential, Japanese gangster film. A little romance, some action, some humor. Slowly paced, but nicely done.
Lesley N

I don't know how Takeshi Kitano manages to turn a story about turf war, with the lead a cold blooded and bloody killer into a gentle, humorous and somehow innocent story of lost dreams and missed opportunities but he does.
Anthony V

When you hear mob movie, you think action film, but this is actually a deep, meditative drama.
Kevin "

My first step into the realm of Takeshi Kitano and I've left intrigued. This movie revolves around the life of a Yakuza who is tired of his gangster life and wants out. This movie has a first for me, I've never enjoyed a movie where nothing really happens so much. Note,… More
My first step into the realm of Takeshi Kitano and I've left intrigued. This movie revolves around the life of a Yakuza who is tired of his gangster life and wants out. This movie has a first for me, I've never enjoyed a movie where nothing really happens so much. Note, what I mean by nothing happens is in regards to the standard Yakuza flick. What sets this film apart from others in its genre is obviously what it doesn't do and it was refreshing. Instead of the typical gang wars and disputes the whole time, it shows Kitano enjoying life and free time while his group lays low. One of the few gangster films with a strong character study. Mixed with humor and calmness; I enjoyed watching a new take on one of my favorite genres.
Wu C

Quirky yakuza gangster story by Kitano. Random stylistic violence helps keep things going in this one.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

Takeshi Kitano
as Murakawa
Tetsu Watanabe
as Uechi
Ren Osugi

Aya Kokumai