Product: Brother [VHS]
Rating: 4.0
Gangster Violence as art
There is such a paucity of good movies out these days that when a decent, worthwhile effort such as this appears one is tempted to rate it higher than it deserves.While Hollywood continues to churn out the usual stuff and sequels to try and maintain the revenue momentum, along comes the odd foreign movie to jolt the system a little.Contrast the violent portrayal of gangster life against the latest Arnie movie. I am sure that there will be uproar in some quarters not only against the viciousness of it but also against the graphic nature. The broader view is the use of the violence to highlight a code of honour to which the Japanese gangsters adhere.The film contrasts the use of violence in gangster societies, pitting the somewhat ethical stance of the Japanese against the money orientated Mafia and the utter ruthlessness to which they will resort.A peculiar feature of the movie is the central character who speaks fewer words than in the entire screenplay for 2001. The camera follows his arrival in Los Angeles, his recollection of how he came to America, through his growing success in the drug trade until his ultimate demise. Throughout this journey homage is paid to American mob movies, in particular the Godfather. In one particular scene a meeting is planned whereby the other side are to be taken out by the use of weaponry hidden in the bathroom. When the moment comes, the weapons cannot be accessed due to the bathroom being occupied. The penultimate scene too is a genuflection to the scene in the Godfather where Sonny is killed by the massed ranks of machine gun toting, nicely dressed hoods.But in the end the Yakuza is found to be a decent chap as he repays his long time associate for an earlier misdeed he committed against him and provides the wherewithal for a new start, presumably on the right side of the law.There are some great scenes in this movie, some of which are referred to in other reviews. The scenes are sharp and bright and the camerawork is excellent establishing a high sense of realism.This movie is not for the squeamish but should not be viewed as a gratuitous violence flick. It is a serious study of modern life and the blurring of cultural dividing lines across nations.Worth seeing again.