The Yakuza (***)

This is a film released in 1974 by Sydney Pollock that places Robert Mitchum as a detective returning to Japan to help a friend who is in trouble with the Yakuza. It is a neo-noir of sorts. The only problem I have with the film is that I am unable to tell if it shows an interesting aspect of Japanese culture or if it exploits Japanese stereotypes. I wonder what Pollock would say about this movie today. Overall the movie is very good, action packed and interesting. It takes place primarily in Japan, with a mostly Japanese crew. Like many noirs, it has a number of twists and turns, with each character harboring secrets about their past. There is an emotional reveal about the characters right before the climax at the end that really makes the movie. The film has its share of violence involving Katana blades and such, but nothing approaching Kill Bill. This movie is no Out of the Past, Cape Fear, or Night of the Hunter for Mitchum. It is interesting to see an aged Mitchum, perhaps past his prime, playing a leading strong man in Japan. Mitchum is one of my favor actors, but he almost seems a bit miscast in this role.

According to IMDB, Martin Scorsese and Robert Aldrich were each considered for directing the movie before Pollack. Also both Lee Marvin and Robert Redford were considered for the lead role.

Ken Takakura, who plays Mitchum's unwilling but loyal partner in the film is very good. I would really like to see more of his films but I don’t know where to start. I need more exposure to Japanese cinema.