Pale Flower

Rating:
Summary: Pale Flower - yakuza poetry
Review: This is an absolutely beautiful yakuza film by Masahiro Shinoda. It is much deeper and thought-provoking than typical yakuza b-movies, which glorify violence and the gangster lifestyle. However, this is not a b-movie, but more of a poetic and artistic yakuza noir. It was films like this, and the famous yakuza films by Kinji Fukasaku - such as the 'Battles without Honor' series, and 'Graveyard of Honor' - that redefined the yakuza genre into morality plays that were highly critical of the criminal aspects of Japanese society. Thus, the film is not action-packed, but much slower in pace, which actually makes it much stronger.
This edition, released by Home Vision Entertainment, has a good transfer and picture quality, and the film also boasts a very good score. The music is especially powerful near the end of the film. Overall, it is a must for anyone who likes yakuza films, film noir, or Japanese cinema.

Rating:
Summary: YAKUZA NOIR
Review: Tokyo's underworld of drugs, drag-racing, gambling and the doomed love of an ex con and a mysterious woman collide in PALE FLOWER (Home Vision Entertainment). Masahiro Shinoda's Yakuza tale reflects much of the meticulous Jean-Pierre Melville style but stands on its own. In stark black and white with a cooly twisted score by Toru Takemitsu.