Jiro is a sailor. His best mate is a jockey. When the latter falls in love with Masako, a gangster's girl there is big trouble for everyone. As always my Japanese is insufficient to do justice to the movie, but I enjoyed the lighter opening scenes at the harbor and the racetrack.I was beginning to think I had found that rare thing, an old Japanese movie without lots of gangster related violence but alas that was not to be.(Maybe I just watch the wrong movies?) Anyhow, most of the movie looks great; production standards are high and although no Seabiscuit, this looks as slick and as glossy as Hollywood B movies of the same era. The music is good too
Reviews
2 Reviews
Kisarazu Cat's Eye
(2002– )
Japanese Pop Culture.
2 November 2004
Warning: Spoilers
CONTAINS SPOILERS. I watched this on Culture Day here in Japan; this is currently the most popular Japanese language title at my local video shop here in Kyushu.I have to admit my own Japanese is still poor, but the film still won me over, though the start was particularly confusing.The story focuses on the misadventures of Busan and his friend in Kisarazu, a not particularly attractive coastal suburb of Tokyo.The Catseyes are the pop band the heroes form.The cast features well known talents from Japanese TV, including a top comedian and pop group. The surreal style reminded me at times of the Monty Python films, although in terms of its general themes perhaps comparisons with The Water Boys or The Commitments are more apt. It blends elements of Yakuza and Godzilla films, folk legend, an international love story and even has a resurrection motif towards the end.In the end I can't claim to understand it on an intellectual level without English subtitles but it delivers an emotional high. Worth a release in the west.
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