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Brother
2000
In his first film shot in the United States, Japanese director Takeshi Kitano stars as Aniki, a stoic "yakuza" (the Japanese version of the Mafia) who heads to Los Angeles after his clan loses a mob war. Unable to speak English, he still manages to take control of his little brother's small-time gang of drug dealers and quickly .. Read more
| Starring | 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, Tatyana M. Ali, Kuroudo Maki |
|---|---|
| Director | 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano |
| Genres | Thriller |
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Brother
In his first film shot in the United States, Japanese director Takeshi Kitano stars as Aniki, a stoic "yakuza" (the Japanese version of the Mafia) who heads to Los Angeles after his clan loses a mob war. Unable to speak English, he still manages to take control of his little brother's small-time gang of drug dealers and quickly moves them up the criminal ladder by impassively blasting all their higher-ups and imparting an Eastern sense of honor to the new "family." Between the ritual suicides, tortures, self-mutilations, and blood-soaked gun battles, Aniki forms a special bond with black gang member Denny (Omar Epps), who teaches him some English slang in exchange for guidance. As with Kitano's previous films such as FIREWORKS, VIOLENT COP, and SONATINE, an overall sense of Zen stillness contrasts with sudden macho eruptions into violence. The film takes a uniquely Japanese look at the male psyche, which makes it nicely comparable to the works of Takeshi's American counterparts like Peckinpah, Tarantino, and Abel Ferrara. Offbeat and strangely subdued, BROTHER still delivers all the desired gangster goods and should make new Takeshi fans out of anyone who has seen SCARFACE or THE GODFATHER.
| Starring | 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, Tatyana M. Ali, Kuroudo Maki, Masaya Kato, James Shigeta, Susumu Terajima, Ren Osugi |
|---|---|
| Director | 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano |
| Studio | CINEMA CLUB |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 48 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English, Japanese |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Released | DVD: 13 Jan 2003 Production year: 2000 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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Takeshi Kitano's work can't be shown in mainstream cinemas because of the language barrier, yet its offbeat brutality also makes it an unlikely candidate for the art house circuit. So here Kitano attempts to reach a wider audience with this typically deadpan tale of a Yakuza, set — for the first time — in the US. It's essentially a greatest bits movie, enticing the uninitiated while providing knowing winks to aficionados, as Kitano's gangster flees a Tokyo turf war only to precipitate an equally bloody showdown in Los Angeles. Exploring cultural contrasts, the criminal code and notions of brotherhood, this occasionally feels over-customised, but it's still a polished and perceptive film.
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"...BROTHER boldly juxtaposes images of geographical displacement and transience with underlying themes of cultural permanence and immutability..."
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Most helpful member's review
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14 out of 15 people found this review helpful
Rent this
This is the first 'Beat' Takeshi Kitano film I've seen and it made me want to see more - in fact I ran straight out (OK, not literally) and bought a few of his films. 'Beat' is actually a Japanese comedian, and as such, his films are more popular overseas than in Japan; the Japanese are too used to seeing him as a comedian and aren't fond of his films. The rest of the world, though, loves them. Quick outline of the story is: 'Beat' does his Yakuza bro. a favour. The bro. has been told to kill 'Beat' but being such good friends, 'Beat' leaves the country instead, and they use a body double to fool the Yakuza. 'Beat' goes to America, where his younger brother has been sent to study. However his younger brother has become a small time drug dealer. One lone Yakuza and Ghetto drug dealers. I won't say anymore. Beat's style is serious yet funny, violent but not. There is violence, but you don't see it, you see the aftermath. That's as best I can describe it. If you like films like Reservoir Dogs, The Usual Suspects, GoodFellas then I recommend Brother.
Take care -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Cinematic Genius
Like most of Takeshi Kitano's film work, this is a breathtakingly made masterpiece. He refuses to bow to the conventions of Hollywood. There is as much meaning in the pauses and silence as the action.
When the action comes, it is sudden, violent but understated, often unexpected and over quickly. For me, this is much more powerful than the John Woo spectaculars or Tarantino extended bloodfests.
In essence this is a simple tale. The beauty of 'Brother' comes from the development of character more than plot.
Kitano is 'probably the most famous person in Japan' according to one of the extra features on this DVD. He is known as a stand-up comedian, novelist, game-show host, artist, actor and director. (Surely more than is natural for one man?)
I'm just glad he decided to make films. -
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Brother
In his first film shot in the United States, Japanese director Takeshi Kitano stars as Aniki, a stoic "yakuza" (the Japanese version of the Mafia) who heads to Los Angeles after his clan loses a mob war. Unable to speak English, he still manages to take control of his little brother's small-time ...
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