Yadonashi

This is not his best film, but that remains a gloomy and very dark tale about two ex cons, long time friends who, just after being released from jail, try to search a sunk treasure, despite the presence of the local yakuzas gangs. You also have Ando Noburu in a small role, and the side kick of Takakura is the same actor who played in the Zatoichi series. Takakura is terrific in this movie, with his face of a lost man, a character whom Jean Pierre Melville would have loved. And this topic about two male friends with a female in between who search a sunk treasure reminds me Robert Enrico's LES AVENTURIERS, starring Lino Ventura and Alain Delon.

This is not a masterpiece this Japanse adventure crime movie starring Ken Takakura and Ando Noburu in a small part. You also have the actor who played in the ZATOICHI series. This is a yakuza movie speaking of two long time friends who, after being released from jail, try to search a sunk treasure despite the presence of the local mob, yakuzas. Takakura is as great as ever, the kind of character whom Jean Pierre Melville would have loved, am sure. A topic about friendship, loyalty and nostalgia. A sad story too. And this scheme of two male friends who, whith a woman between them, search a sunk treasure reminds me Robert Enrico's LES AVENTURIERS, starring Alain Delon and Lino Ventura.

This movie is a slow starter, which is not really always a bad thing. But unfortunately it does not really go anywhere seriously. A lot of plot points are started but not really explored or dealt with in any meaningful way.

To add that there is very little character development in the 2 of the 3 main characters. No real purpose of the 2 of the characters. Shintarô Katsu carries the movie, but even his talent cannot replace a story.

Ken Takakura has a role that even his charisma cannot make interesting. Being completely uninterested in everything is rarely interesting.

The ending made me feel like I had just wasted 1½ hour of my life. I could see why it could end this way but why try to tell a story and end it that way. So even though a lot of screen time for 3 actors I cherish I cannot recommend it to other people than those that like to make up their own story.