Review of The Yakuza (1974) by Daniel K — 02 Sep 2011

3: One wonders why films like this seem to have been largely forgotten over time. Pollack seems to have been way ahead of the curve here. America's major fascination with Japanese culture didn't seem to have hit the mainstream until the 1980's or even later, when so many Japan-focused books and films were released.

I'm not sure I've seen a Hollywood film that delves so deeply into a specific aspect of Japanese culture. Ozu, Kurosawa, Miyazaki, etc are all spectacular and this film cannot approach their artistry, but they are Japanese commenting on Japan (and/or larger themes).

Pollack is on the outside looking in and he seems to have had a good eye, a good cast, and good advisers. No Japanese filmmaker would explain as much as Pollack does, because they wouldn't see the need.

I'd be curious to know what someone actually from Japan would make of this film. I for one thought it was spectacularly entertaining. Compelling story, interesting characters, great locations, etc.

Everything worked together to form a complete whole. I was very pleasantly surprised as I was not expecting anything nearly this good. I considered a 3.5, but thought better of it.