Hana Bi (1997)

I come to Hana-Bi, not knowing anything about it except Takeshi Kitano, and he made Zatoichi and that was my shit, when it came out. 

It was my movie of the year, in 2004. This a Japanese crime movie, which is fine- more importantly, it's well overdue that I take the time to watch some of his other work. 
If it's half as good as Zatoichi, that'll be good enough...


Hana-Bi is a film about regret peppered with moments for slapstick and ultraviolence. 
It would be coarse for me to refer to it as 'awesome' because it succeeds in marrying all 3 of those elements. 
But, tuck your balls back because it's super-awesome. 
That's not to say that Hana-Bi would be everyone's cup-of-tea. Many might find Beat Takeshi's stoicism difficult to empathise with or understand. But this is a man (The man.) trying, struggling to keep hope alive and find joy in life. We initially find out policeman Takashi's wife has a terminal illness in hospital because 3 or 4 of his colleagues approach him saying 'How's your wife in the hospital... Your wife with the terminal illness?' Not the type to suffer pity well, you can only imagine moments like this contribute to his extreme violent reactions when he comes in conflict with  criminals. 
Takeshi has other problems too. He feels an understandable guilt over a colleague paralysed for being in his place at the wrong time and he owes money to the Yakuza; gangsters who to share his lack of interest in suffering idiots when they can just as easily dispatch them.
When Takeshi gets time to spend with his ailing wife, they share this wonderful relationship. While not the most affectionate, you can easily see they share a loving bond where you can see they enjoy each others company.
It's a pleasant escape for Takeshi and the viewer. 
In terms of realistic movie violence, me and Mr. Takeshi are on the same page-make it quick, make it hurt. The end. It's shocking predominantly, in the sense of it's unexpectedness; that it be over so quickly and be so painful.
In his movies, people don't stare-draw-pause-shoot. They kinda just shoot. Or smack. Or stab. 
That said, for all the hyper-realism in the violence- it extends to the over-bright visuals and super-spare writing. Fans of watching people staring off into the distance, will love this. It's no diss, in most scenes- characters are either struggling about what to say to lighten the mood or are struggling with their own despair.
What's left to say?...
It's a real testament to Takeshi that remains such a likable character, when he displays so little empathy for most, displays little of anything really.
Hana-Bi is about a man who is grimly aware that life is fleeting, trying to appreciate it as he sees fit and trying to avoid any waste of that time. That in this world, money and possessions pale in comparison to good health and spreading happiness, where you can. 
Oh yeah, and bludgeoning dudes with 2x4's is good too.


I watched Hana-Bi (1997), on DVD via LoveFilm.
My 2011 in Movies will return with Lonesome Jim (2005)...