Zatoichi (2003)

Director: Takeshi Kitano
Starring: Takeshi Kitano, Michiyo Ookusu, Gadarukanaru Taka, Daigorô Tachibana, Yuuko Daike, Tadanobu Asano

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The original Blind Swordsman films had a very set formula similar to the Western formula. Zatoichi, the blind (sidenote: I have for the second time in a row typed 'bling' instead of 'blind'. *sigh* I want to be black so bad) massuer swordsman, comes into a new town, befriends someone who persecuted by the Yakuza who maintain rule using violence and intimidation. He gambles and always wins. He gives someone--usually a beautiful woman--a massage. He kills everybody. He leaves. Takeshi uses this formula to an extent, but he adds several more main characters atypical of the original films and to this re-thinking's detriment. The film's plot meanders, flashes back, and generally takes its time getting on with everything as we have to go into every character's backstory. It's simply unnecessary.

On the other hand, Takeshi brings his ultra-hip style to the samurai genre instead of his typical modern Yakuza genre. The results are shocking, surreal and delightful. There are a few asides in the film that setup the unexpected finale of the film that you only realize are happening after several seconds of screen time. I never expected them the first time I watched the film, and it's a great surprise. There's the blood that Kitano told his CG artist to "look like flowers blossoming across the screen." There's the battle in the rain that takes place when the sun is shining. There's the idiot neighbor. There's the mysterious straw effigy that stands in the fields not as a scarecrow but as a tombstone. There's the matter of cross-dressing. Yeah, the pacing's pretty terrible, but there are so many little things to enjoy along the way that it's worth taking the long way around.

July 23
Arclight Cinemas, late evening

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