The Yakuza – Review

The yakuza began life in Japan over 300 years ago as gamblers, con men, shady merchants and traveling liars. They were also said to protect the poor from marauding noblemen. To this day, yakuza abide by bushido, a rigorous honor code of the samurai.

Jiro Kato (Machida) introduces himself to a group of gangsters as a ‘free agent’ specializing in international work. His politeness impresses Akiyama Masaru of the Tono Clan. Jiro delivers a document, and is recognized for his English skills. The clan looks to take him in.

Meanwhile, George Tanner (Keith) is instructed by a yakuza to return to Japan and settle his business, as Toshiro Tono (Okada) is waiting for him after a gun deal gone bad. Harry Kilmer (Mitchum) gets a call from Tanner, who tells him of his troubles. Tanner knows the police can’t do anything.

He also knows Kilmer has connections to Ken Tanaka (Takakura), and old friend. They talk about Eiko (Kishi), another old acquaintance which Harry helped in the past. After agreeing to help, the son of another old gangster and Tanner’s bodyguard Dusty Hoekstra (Jordan) agrees to go with Kilmer and watch his back.

The major trouble is that Tanner’s daughter has been taken. Real Japanese connections are needed to solve this issue. Tanner and Kilmer’s knowledge dates back to wartime when they were Marine MPs in the country. Kilmer and Hoekstra meet Oliver Wheat (Edelman) upon arrival in Japan.

As the players begin to make waves, the film introduces additional characters and a few plot turns. Mitchum plays a stoic ex-soldier well, and I like the mix of cultures and histories. It may run a tad long, but I personally dug the film and its leisurely take of the story. Just… watch your fingers.