Underworld Beauty

Rating:
Summary: Seijun Suzuki's Underworld Beauty is one of his best
Review: I think this film by Seijun Suzuki is up there with his brilliant 'Branded to Kill' and 'Tokyo Drifter.'

What grabs me about this particular film is not its standard 'Yakuza/crime' narrative, but it's visual concept of Tokyo 1950's nightclubs and sexuality.

The film is worth purchasing just for seeing the artist/Gangster reading an English (French) novel at a Yakuza meeting.

Plus extra star for the soundtrack which is wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Seijun Suzuki's Underworld Beauty is one of his best
Review: I think this film by Seijun Suzuki is up there with his brilliant 'Branded to Kill' and 'Tokyo Drifter.'

What grabs me about this particular film is not its standard 'Yakuza/crime' narrative, but it's visual concept of Tokyo 1950's nightclubs and sexuality.

The film is worth purchasing just for seeing the artist/Gangster reading an English (French) novel at a Yakuza meeting.

Plus extra star for the soundtrack which is wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: must-see 50s film noir
Review: Were it not for the fact that almost the entire cast is Japanese, I would have thought I was watching a lost Sam Fuller classic. This seedy gangster film has top-notch writing, directing, and acting. The print of the film is exceptionally clear, emphasizing the superb lighting of this black-and-white drama. The story of a diamond thief who attempts to make amends to a crippled partner in crime unfolds in classic noir fashion, and there is a refreshingly offbeat take on the femme fatale role. The only flaws are a couple brief inappropriate musical passages and one or two moving shots that exhibit a little shakiness. Highly recommended for film buffs.

Rating:
Summary: must-see 50s film noir
Review: Were it not for the fact that almost the entire cast is Japanese, I would have thought I was watching a lost Sam Fuller classic. This seedy gangster film has top-notch writing, directing, and acting. The print of the film is exceptionally clear, emphasizing the superb lighting of this black-and-white drama. The story of a diamond thief who attempts to make amends to a crippled partner in crime unfolds in classic noir fashion, and there is a refreshingly offbeat take on the femme fatale role. The only flaws are a couple brief inappropriate musical passages and one or two moving shots that exhibit a little shakiness. Highly recommended for film buffs.