I may be biased in favor of anything Japanese, but I found this film quite mesmerizing. Maybe be because I myself, being a non-Japanese, who admires Japanese culture, secretly identifies myself as an outsider who fascinates about being accepted into this not so open culture.But of course it is a fantasy to even consider for a foreigner to be accepted into the Yakuza, But this may be what Jared Leto who starred and executive produced this film secretly fascinates about as well. Without this fascination about Japanese culture and the yakuza, then the premise of the whole film falls apart. And thus I understand the non-appreciation of the film by may critics and users..Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this film and was so saddened that there is no sequel planned.

The Outsider is a mixed bag. At it's core it is solid film making. Alas it's story and sociopathic characters we all have seen a million times before. And even worse you can tell how this film ends within the first 20 minutes. Yawn.While the acting throughout is pretty satisfying, the Outsider as a whole features zero originality, and more conceptual holes than Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow V8 Ford.

I thought it was a good story with wonderful acting from many different actors, beautiful cinematography, set design and costuming. It suffered from too many pregnant pauses and too much silent brooding, though. It's unfortunate, because Jared Leto does those exceptionally well. If there had been half as much of it the movie would have been a solid 7, leaning to 8.

Great film - I loved every minute of it. From the settings in buildings in sleazy neighborhoods around post-war Japan to the acting which was excellent. It even had one (maybe more?) moment of humor. There is little to complain about except perhaps it was gory even by today's standards. It's difficult to remember how one things leads to the next as the plot is crafted masterfully. Before the viewer is even aware, a Gaijin (foreigner or outsider) is a part of a Japanese Yakuza family in Osaka. Despite his penchant for violence - sometimes almost senseless - the main character is humanized through a tender side manifested by his love for a woman. The film depicts a broken down Japan still reeling from the impact of World War Two. There appears to be little of the order and wealth so closely associated with contemporary Japan. The movie is an eye opener on Japanese society for those who are unaware of the depths to which Imperial Japan feel after its surrender in 1945. Well acted, great plot with a serious dark side ... what's not to like?