Great looking, but ultimately rambling story of two thugs and a prostitute who get out of prison an continue their wanton ways, while taking revenge on, and repeatedly crossing paths with, the people who put them there.
Playing like a Japanese Breathless or Rebel Without a Cause, this is wonderful looking movie. The film was clearly shot on real locations so it has a sense of place that few films I've seen can match. Luscious black and white photography is arresting to see. I'm guessing the cities and country sides never looked this good.
The cast is very good and keep you watching even when the plot seems to be going nowhere for a good chunk of the first half.
Thats the rub, the plot. This hip and happening tale of young Japan rambles around for a good chunk of it going nowhere. Its not that its bad, its just it took a long time to get where it was going, or at least feel like it was heading somewhere. The point of the film is to contrast the three antiheroes with the pair who sent them away, and who are seen, in the end to be just as awful as those they despise. Once that happens the first time we're only left with a repetition of the point the two or three more times it happens. Sprinkled with profanity, rape, robbery and abortion this would have gotten banned in many communities had it showed up in the US at the time of release in Japan. Even today its more than likely liable to get a rise out of most audience. Its a walk on a dark side that rattles you with its matter of factness.
Is it worth seeing? On most levels yes. Its a wonderful antidote for what was being done elsewhere in the world at the same time (its also more real than many similar Hollywood films). The music is great and the hip, often nihilistic attitude almost saves it all. On the other hand odds are that this is probably not going to be a film you watch a second time, there's nothing wrong with it, its just not as meaty as it thinks it is or we hoped it would be. Ultimately its a movie I admire more than I like.
