Black Rain
Plot
Black Rain (1989) In this gritty crime thriller, two New York City detectives, Nick Conklin (Michael Douglas) and R.J. "Hack" Hackworth (Andy Garcia), find themselves entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse between rival Yakuza factions. The story takes a dramatic turn when they arrest one of the most feared Yakuza hitmen, Goro (Yuri Beryozkin), and are tasked with escorting him back to Japan. Upon their arrival in Tokyo, Conklin and Hackworth are met with a culture shock that is as much about language barriers as it is about the vastly different values and morals that govern Japanese society. As they navigate the treacherous world of organized crime, they begin to realize that Goro's presence has stirred up a hornet's nest of rival Yakuza clans, each seeking revenge for past grievances. As tensions escalate and violence erupts on the streets of Tokyo, Conklin and Hackworth must use their wits and street smarts to stay one step ahead of the Yakuza's deadly game. They soon discover that Goro is more than just a ruthless killer - he's a key player in a larger power struggle that threatens to destroy the fragile balance between the rival factions. The stakes are raised when Conklin, who has grown increasingly fascinated with Japanese culture, begins to question his own moral compass. As he becomes embroiled in the Yakuza's underworld, he finds himself torn between his duty as a lawman and his growing sense of empathy for the complex, often contradictory world of Japanese honor and loyalty. Black Rain is a tense, action-packed thriller that delves deep into the darker aspects of human nature. With its unique blend of American grit and Japanese sensibilities, this film is a gripping exploration of the consequences of violence, loyalty, and redemption in a world where the lines between right and wrong are constantly blurred.
Reviews
Morgan
Damn, the directing, the atmosphere, the cinematography, the style – so much cool cyberpunk vibe! Ridley Scott really turned a gangster/crime flick into something with sci-fi and doomsday vibes, almost like *Blade Runner*. Matsuda Yusaku, already seriously ill, gave the performance of his life during his final days. It's said that in the movie, the scene where he cuts off his little finger was actually real.
Zion
Matsuda Yusaku's swan song. Despite being terminally ill at the time, he was still incredibly cool and charismatic. You wouldn't know he was suffering from a fatal disease. Takakura Ken's spoken English is decent, but his performance is a bit flat and expressionless throughout the film; I wonder if he was having trouble adjusting. The movie itself is just okay. While many people tout the pairing of Douglas and Takakura Ken as a big draw, Matsuda Yusaku definitely delivers the most compelling performance in the film.
Axel
Re-watched on 20231028: In a way, Ridley Scott was quite astute in gauging the times. If this film is seen as a work reflecting the easing of US-Japan relations amidst the backdrop of the Eastern European upheaval, and the upcoming "Napoleon" teaches the world the survival之道 (way of survival) that individuals should follow in the face of a complex and chaotic world, then it also corroborates my hypothesis about the creative background of "Alien" – a reflection of the US mired in the Vietnam War in the 70s. Returning to US-Japan reconciliation, perhaps it's thanks to the sincerity of the BGM, or the understanding and respect that the actors, both on and off-screen, have for each other's cultural clashes and values, that the film always moves me, especially in the final third. The shadow of the WWII bombings and the post-war...
Grant
One of the Ridley Scott films I watched to prepare for the Beijing Film Academy entrance exam, but unfortunately, "Black Rain" was just okay for me.
Luca
Pacing isn't much of an issue; that's just Ridley Scott's style. But the plot could use some revisiting. Why stretch this kind of material into two hours?
Kenneth
Black Rain, a gritty crime thriller set against the backdrop of New York and Tokyo, explores the collision of cops, gangsters, and the deadly allure of power. With its explosive action and dark, moral ambiguity, the film feels like a turbulent storm inside the human soul, where loyalty and corruption twist together in a deadly dance. Highly recommended for fans of gritty crime dramas.
Summer
"Black Rain" combines crime, culture, and chaos in a gripping tale of cops vs. criminals on NYC streets and Japanese mafia territory.
