At first glance, Graveyard of Honor might seem to be a somewhat typical Takashi Miike Gangster Flick, with the director's patented ultra-violence and Yakuza chaos. And on that level this film works... but peer beneath the surface and you'll find that Graveyard of Honor is actually a very intricate study of a man's unhealthy obsession with self-destruction.
Rikuo Ishimatsu (Goro Kishitani) is a bartender, who while working one day inadvertently saves the life of Yakuza Boss Sawada. Out of appreciation for Rikuo's heroism, Boss Sawada inducts him into the gang and gives him "uncle" status. This leads to resentment for Rikuo among the other underlings in the gang. All is fine though, until one day when Boss Sawada decides to go to the dentist. Rikuo shows up looking for the Boss but is taunted by Yukawa, who refuses to tell him where the boss is. Angered, Rikuo nearly kills Yukawa with a harsh blow to the head. This and other events (I don't want to give too much away) lead to Rikuo's exile and eventually end up driving him into a cycle of self-destruction.
Graveyard of Honor is a hard film to watch. There are no "good" guys in this film. There are no light-hearted scenes, heart warming moments, or any black humor to lighten up the film. Just a lot of mean people making bad choices and paying for their mistakes in horrible ways. For example Rikuo, the film's protagonist (antagonist??), rapes women, does heroin, and shoot's and stabs people... and this is not fun violence but disturbing, horrific, violence. Amazingly, Director Takashi Miike and actor Goro Kishitani somehow finds a way to make his character somewhat sympathetic.
OK, let's cut to the chase. If your not put off by extremely bleak, unsettling, negative, and depressing films, than Graveyard of Honor should be in your DVD player... right now. Filmed stylishly, scored masterfully (the jazz score for this film is incredible), and featuring the brilliant and hypnotic performance of Goro Kishitani as the amoral Rikuo. This film is arguably Miike's greatest Masterpiece.
Bottom Line-If you haven't seen this and aren't easily upset by graphic depictions of the ugly side of life, find this and watch it as soon as possible. You won't be disappointed.
Rikuo Ishimatsu (Goro Kishitani) is a bartender, who while working one day inadvertently saves the life of Yakuza Boss Sawada. Out of appreciation for Rikuo's heroism, Boss Sawada inducts him into the gang and gives him "uncle" status. This leads to resentment for Rikuo among the other underlings in the gang. All is fine though, until one day when Boss Sawada decides to go to the dentist. Rikuo shows up looking for the Boss but is taunted by Yukawa, who refuses to tell him where the boss is. Angered, Rikuo nearly kills Yukawa with a harsh blow to the head. This and other events (I don't want to give too much away) lead to Rikuo's exile and eventually end up driving him into a cycle of self-destruction.
Graveyard of Honor is a hard film to watch. There are no "good" guys in this film. There are no light-hearted scenes, heart warming moments, or any black humor to lighten up the film. Just a lot of mean people making bad choices and paying for their mistakes in horrible ways. For example Rikuo, the film's protagonist (antagonist??), rapes women, does heroin, and shoot's and stabs people... and this is not fun violence but disturbing, horrific, violence. Amazingly, Director Takashi Miike and actor Goro Kishitani somehow finds a way to make his character somewhat sympathetic.
OK, let's cut to the chase. If your not put off by extremely bleak, unsettling, negative, and depressing films, than Graveyard of Honor should be in your DVD player... right now. Filmed stylishly, scored masterfully (the jazz score for this film is incredible), and featuring the brilliant and hypnotic performance of Goro Kishitani as the amoral Rikuo. This film is arguably Miike's greatest Masterpiece.
Bottom Line-If you haven't seen this and aren't easily upset by graphic depictions of the ugly side of life, find this and watch it as soon as possible. You won't be disappointed.