Another great film by Takeshi Kitano and it's just a really great entry in the odd action drama kind of genre. The only faults are that it is slow in parts and sometimes hard to follow.
sonatine is one of those odd yakuza films you don't see that often. The premise starts out like at typical yakuza film, but it's the middle of the film that stands out. The film follows a small group of yakuza with beat as the boss and they spend a large portion of the film relaxing at a remote house in Okinawa. After a while you even begin to forget why the group is even there until all the violence they were avoiding comes to hit them all at once and leads to a very typical yet appropriate ending to a film of it's nature. Beat just looks like he's having a blast during this movie and it's one that is very interesting and not full of all the typical action and violence yakuza movies tend to be like.
I wish I could watch every movie ever made but I sadly don't have the time. I'm not interested in this movie because I don't think I'll like it or don't know enough about it to think I might like it. I may still end up seeing it some day though.
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.
Sonatine is a huge orgasm of artistic beauty and direction. Each frame characterized with Kitano's personalised minimal style and uniqueness. Do not expect it to be remiscent of the Chinese Action franchises of John Woo, etc. This film should be appriciated on it's cinematographic excellence, wonderful life-realistic character protrayal and the surreal experience it provides to it's audience.
It is hard to compare 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano to anyone else. He not only writes, directs, produces and edits his own films, but has also had a long and illustrious career as part of a comedy double act (the Two Beats) both on stage and radio, he is usually on about 7 programmes on Japanese TV a week, many of which he devised himself, he is a successful poet, novelest and painter. Sonatine is one of his finest works, balancing between moments of ultra violence and zen like moments of calm and reflection. This is a film that is almost as much about wasting time as it is about anything else, and you could find few better wastes of your own than to sit back and enjoy Kitano's unique style.
This came in a set with Zatoichi and I didn't know a lot about it. The little bit I read just made it sound like a typical kind of gangster movie. I am very glad that I watched it because it was more than just a gangster movie. It was visually beautiful and artistic whether in the serene moments on the beach or the violent moments surrounding. I actually liked it better than Zatoichi. It takes these tough yakuza guys who have no problem killing people and, for a while, sets them in a place where they become childlike and happy and carefree. Takeshi's artistic ability to tell a story full of symbolism is well exercised and all this is adorned with great music from the master composer Joe Hisaishi. We end up with a nice mesh of action, violence, art, and a feeling of childlike wonder. I look forward to getting my hands on more of Takeshi's amazing work!
This was a great fiick. Beat Kitano has that facial tic and a great way of conveying a sense of being overwhelmed psychologically and resigned to his character's course of action. I'd like to see more from him. Other than Zatoichi and Brother, I haven't seen much. Any recommendations, anyone?
This film is awesome! I have watched it 3 or 4 times already and something new each time! Beat Takeshi is brillant in this film as actor and writer, but his directing is what really shines. Adult's only, a strange wonderful little film, to bad more people wont see it.
This is not your typical yakuza movie. A hardened yakuza and his henchmen are forced to hide out in a remote beach. They laugh, play childish games with one another. But it is only an interlude to the inevitable violence. Mesmerizing.
Kitano es el dolor de cabeza de muchos. Su humos seco, su violencia, sus eternos planos fijos...Mucha gente directamente no soporta sus peliculas. Al menos para mi, Kitano es la muestra de que es posible hacer otro cine de accion, o lo que es mejor, convertir a ese genero en un indiscutible cine de autor, poniendole personalidad, llenandolo de vida. Kitano es un eterno defensor de la violencia poetica, el es el que mejor maneja esas metaforas, esas contradicciones. Kitano es su cine.
Sonatine es su obra mas pareja hasta el momento. Estan sus yakuzas sensibles, estan los codigos, esta la cultura..no falta nada.
Stunning gangster drama that proves you don't need constant bloodshed to make an impact. Beat Takeshi is superb as both actor and director, and the ending is deeply affecting. Wonderful soundtrack too
The way I see it, Takeshi likes to make movies like they were paintings. Everything in the frame has to look just as impressive as what the focus should be about. And the high level of character development makes this more a study of understanding a man and not so much about action. And I love it.
MCT:August 8, 2008
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