I first discovered this true masterpiece back in 2001, during the Strange Festival in Paris. And I remember that, just after the viewing, I ran through all the Japanese restaurants asking the owners or employees from Rising Sun country if anyone of their relatives could purchase this film for me. I offered at this time the equivalent of two hundred bucks. This crime movie literally froze, astonished me. The kind of crime film I have always craved for. I found here the very same scheme that in Barry Shear's ACROSS 110TH STREET, where a bunch of hoodlums stole the mob's money and then had to fight another bunch of fierce killers hired by the same mob. I won't add much to this pure gem from Japan, but I recommend to every one to watch it. Everything here is flawless, directing, filming, acting and editing. And I adore the moments where you begin to hear the castanets... Watch this film and then you'll understand what I mean.

I have had this film in my possession for 18 months but had not got round to watching it all the way through until a couple of weeks ago.The plot is old hat: an attempt by some small timers to get one-up on the mob, but this film succeeds, in spite of its flaws, because of the connection we feel for the characters and the connections between the characters themselves.Mr Bandai is a nightclub owner. It's not a successful business or glamorous interior. It is, in fact, gaudy, almost tawdry, and certainly empty. It's in the middle of nowhere, going nowhere. We only really see it frequented by those to whom Bandai owes money and who are there to collect. Obviously Bandai hasn't got the money, so after being threatened and ordered to pay up or else, he decides to rob them.The gang he assembles to pull off the heist are themselves society's drifters, outcast and tawdry, failed people. One cannot help but connect this film to the economic crisis in Japan at the time, when many in a society, where 'keeping face' is of the utmost importance and unemployment a social stigma, were thrown off the economic shelf onto the scrapheap. In fact, as the film reveals, one of the characters pretended to his wife and kids he still had a job, but they left him, unable to bear the stigma.If this film is about confronting taboos in this respect, it also transcends others. The relationship between Mr Bandai and Mitsuya forms the core of the film. Mitsuya extorts money from wealthy men who don't want their secret lives revealing. He enters the film extravagantly, his behaviour is deliberately arch and artificial and his brash clothes and long hair hiding a vulnerable young man. As a homosexual he is one of society's outcasts, but Bandai accepts him for who he is – even after Mitsuya makes an early move on him.As the film develops, Bandai and Mitsuya are pursued by hired hit man Takeshi Kitano, with whose side-kick there is a sexual relationship – but the inverse of that between Bandai and Mitsuya: one based on domination and abuse. Connecting the two main protagonists, however, there is respect, help and communication, which through the course of events flowers into a deep bond and love.Sadly, given the film's progression, we can never know what would have really happened between the nightclub owner and the hustler. After they have almost made their escape together, Bandai is killed and in the moment before he dies he simply kisses Mitsuya. Whether this is as a thank you, a concession to Mitsuya's feelings, or Bandai's true love, the important aspect is that he could not express it until being alive really matters – when we are about to die.A sad film, beautifully photographed with a dreamy haziness. Bandai and Mitsuya's relationship progresses steadily and realistically. There is nothing sensational or overplayed in the film and with its conclusion comes a sense of palpable loss.High above standard Asian cop thriller fare. Miike Takashi with feeling.

I won't say this is a bad movie. It really isn't. But when I see the name Kitano on the cover I expect bleakness, utter despair, or hilarity.This movie however doesn't know what it wants to be. You have yakuza, extreme violence, some really sick scenes, loss and then... quirky humorous characters... While I don't mind quirky humor, it doesn't blend well with the rest of the story.. A bunch of guys plan to rob the Yakuza but even though they get the money all hell breaks loose since the yakuza track down the robbers and send 2 hitmen after them. Result: lots of (often intense sick yet sexy) violence Tarentino can learn from with drama and: humor ?!? Doesn't really work for me.. Atleast not when I'm in a nihilistic/destructive mood. All in all. an okay maybe even fun movie but not one for those of Kitano's usual movies. (and yes I know he didn't direct this one)6.5 or 7 out of 10

It's been a year since I rented this film. I still get nightmares. There is one scene in particular (and I think we all know which scene I'm talking about) Which I've been revisiting over and over again in my most horrible dreams. This film has disturbed me in a way that no film ever has. It's a testament to how dark a feature film can be if the filmmakers choose to go there.Personally, I know that I will never be the same.