Review of Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) by Jesse O — 29 Jul 2010

This is a really, really good movie. It's obviously, in a way, a homage to the 1967 French film 'Le Samourai', which I have on DVD though I haven't seen it yet. I don't need to see the original to notice that this movie is inspired by that film.

I plan on seeing it soon, I hope. Anyway, despite being similar, this movie is still a very unique blend of samurai lifestyle, mafioso, gangster/thug lifestyles. This movie is definitely very ambitious and in other hands, this could have been a complete and utter failure.

But Jim Jarmusch, despite only knowing of him by reputation, manages to mix all of these elements into a very easy to follow movie. And that gets a huge thumbs up from me, since it must not be easy. Plus, it also has some very funny moments that entertain you and in no way does the comedy take away from the rest of the movie.

Jim Jarmusch, on the making of featurette on the DVD, said that he cast Forest Whitaker in this movie because there's something very gentle and likeable about him. But at the same time, he can be one scary motherfucker who could fuck you up.

I completely agree with that assessment and Forest is one of the few actors who really embodies that. Don't believe me??? If this movie doesn't convince you, then watch The Last King of Scotland and see how his performance goes from happy and charismatic and likeable to one scary dictator who could probably rip your heart out and laugh about doing it.

I also really liked the cartoon that served as a metaphor for various things. It wasn't always subtle, but it was very effective. And his friendship with the french ice cream man was really awesome.

Because they really understood each other despite not even understanding what the other was saying, it was just an awesome touch. And the character of Sonny Valerio was just so goddamn awesome. I was saddened when he was killed because that meant I couldn't see him dancing or rapping along to Public Enemy anymore and that depressed me.

You know, going back over this movie here, I realize that this movie isn't really good, it's a goddamn GREAT movie as I really found few things to dislike about the movie and that was mostly near the beginning.

So thumbs way the fuck up for this movie.