George Tanner (Brian Keith) is in trouble with The Yakuza. He's been gunrunning for them and is forced to travel to Japan for a meeting in person to answer for his failure. He recruits his old friend private detective Harry Kilmer (Robert Mitchum). Harry was a soldier during the occupation and he had a relationship with black marketeer Eiko. He seeks help from Eiko's brother Ken (Ken Takakura) who is part of the Yakuza and owes Harry a life debt.
While I appreciate the specificity of the Japanese culture, the story is a little confusing. It probably would help if Harry and Ken become a duo right from the start. They could talk and deliver expositions at the same time. It's also very slow. It's as if director Sydney Pollack is trying to talk his way through an action thriller. He does try to have some style to his action although it is not quite kinetic enough. The pacing is slow for a modern action sequence. It does have interesting brutality and visual angles.
While I appreciate the specificity of the Japanese culture, the story is a little confusing. It probably would help if Harry and Ken become a duo right from the start. They could talk and deliver expositions at the same time. It's also very slow. It's as if director Sydney Pollack is trying to talk his way through an action thriller. He does try to have some style to his action although it is not quite kinetic enough. The pacing is slow for a modern action sequence. It does have interesting brutality and visual angles.