Kikujiro

aka: Kikujiro no Natsu
Japan 1999, 121 minutes
Dir. Takeshi Kitano
In Japanese with English subtitles
Rating: [M]
Genres: Foreign Cinema, Comedy / Gangsters

Feat. Takeshi Kitano

Aroview: An uncharacteristically easy-going, episodic road movie from one-man movie machine, Beat Takeshi, whose impassive screen persona snugly fits his role of a shady ex-mobster cajoled into escorting a small boy across country to meet the mother he's never known.

Treating the kid en route to gambling etc., provides ample amusement as he gradually gets in touch with his latent sensitive side. Though somewhat of a departure for Kitano the director, his expressive aesthetic shines through.

NZ International Film Festival 2000