American Yakuza (1993)

Viggo Mortensen's American and Ryo Ishibashi's Yakuza, Highlight this Low-Budget Gangster Movie that Never Really Amounts to More than a Slightly Above Average Go for this Type of Thing.It Seems to Try Some Stylish Turns Here and There but the Violence for Example is Tone Inconsistent and this Makes for an Odd Feel to the Film. The Shootouts are Kinetic and Bloody but when it's Up Close and Personal the Movie Switches its Gear and Cuts Away at the Last Minute.Wanting to have it Both Ways Makes for a Frustrating Tone as the Film can't Decide on What it is. A Personal Inside Story of Loyalty and "Friendship" or a Kick-Butt John Woo Ripoff. Overall, Worth a Watch for the Two Lead Performances and Some Scenes that Work Well with Good Cinematography. The Movie Looks Better than Most B-Movies with a Soft Color Scheme that Adds a Bit of a Laid Back Ambiance. However, the Italian Mob-FBI-Yakuza Angle is a Lackluster Affair and Not Handled Very Well.

When Nick Davis (Viggo Mortensen) leaves prison after one year in solitaire, he is hired to operate forklift in a warehouse in the harbor owned by the Japanese Yakuza patriarch Isshin Tendo (John Fujioka). The place is assaulted by the Italian Mafia leaded by Dino Campanela (Michael Nouri) and Nick rescues and saves the life of Shuji Sawamoto (Ryo Ishibashi), who is the representative of Yakuza interests in America. Shuji hires Nick to work for Yakuza and becomes his godfather in the family after his oath to join Yakuza. However, Nick is a lonely FBI undercover agent assigned to penetrate in the criminal organization. When the FBI discovers that Campanela is organizing a massive attack to destroy the Yakuza, Nick's boss Littman (Robert Foster) calls off the operation to leave the dirty work to the Italian Mafia. But the connection of Nick with Shuji and his goddaughter Yuko (Cristina Lawson) forces him to help his Japanese family.I have just watched maybe for the sixth time the underrated "American Yakuza", one of the best movies of Yakuza movies with a solid dramatic story of code of honor and a beautiful romance. I became a fan of Viggo Mortensen after watching this movie in the 90's: his character is very well developed in one sentence of his liaison Sam, when he explains that David Brandt is a needy man without family that gives a great value to honor and does not admit betrayal. The screenplay is sharp and the production is classy, supported by magnificent direction and performances and an awesome soundtrack. My vote is ten.Title (Brazil): "American Yakuza"

Half way through watching this film I had the sudden suspicion that I had seen this film before but, after checking, discovered that I hadn't - and I think that signifies its biggest failing. Essentially it's by-the-numbers film-making, making use of every genre cliché which means it has a certain predictability about it.Viggo Mortensen gives a decent performance, although for me his pretty boy looks means he's miscast in the role of an undercover cop who infiltrates the Yakuza, and the story is reasonably entertaining and fast-moving. The characterisation is fairly predictable though: wise older Japanese gangster, hot-headed younger gangster, cold-blooded Italian gangster, etc. The film sometimes looks as if it's heading in some interesting directions (the Italian mobster's verbally abused sidekick for example) but these turn into dead ends. The cinematography is first-class though. Successful on its own low-budget terms, the film will entertain those who watch without high expectations.

'American Yakuza' rises above most of the other b-grade action movies that clog up the video shelves because of its outstanding cast. Viggo Mortensen, is now well on his way to being a major star thanks to Peter Jackson's Tolkien trilogy, but many of us have been following his career for quite some time, since Sean Penn's brilliant 'The Indian Runner' say. Mortensen is excellent as "Nick" an undercover FBI agent who infiltrates the Yakuza, and finds himself caught between his obligations and his loyalties, especially when a gang war with the Mob escalates. Ryo Ishbashi ('Audition') plays Sawamoto, the Yakuza who becomes Nick's friend and mentor, and Michael Nouri ('The Hidden') plays Sawamoto's Mafia rival Campanela. The rest of the cast includes comedian Franklyn Ajaye ('Carwash') as Nick's contact, Robert Forster ('Jackie Brown') as his boss, Nicky Katt ('The Limey') as Campanela's right hand man, and Yuji Okumoto ('Brain Smasher... A Love Story') as one of Sawamoto's crew. This is by no means the best crime thriller I've ever seen but thanks to the great cast I enjoyed watching it. Definitely worth a rental this one.