MovieChat Forums > Black Rain (1989) Discussion > naive movie?

naive movie?

posted 16 years ago by MajkiFajki
20 replies | jump to latest

I can't understand why this movie is so naive.

For me, Japan is a country of:
bushido
samurai
karate
Bolo Young
first Terminator :)

For Ridley Scott, Japan is a country of:
stupid cops
cops-sissies
Yakuza wchich can't deal with one rebel guy

US cop is smart, tough and indefeatable.

Let's look at in example - Kendo's scene.

Douglas comes in, Masu is training. Douglas at the begginig picks up a "sword" (in this moment he should be massacred by some kind of sensei for violation of some kind laws?), then he hits few times Masu with it (once again, in real world shouldn't Masu kick his ass for something like this?) and at the end, he pushes Masu to the ground - and what? Nothing! White gaijin pushes japaneese cop and NOTHING happens. Nice.

Ok - it's only a movie, but let stick to the logic. If we shoot a movie about jap/usa culture clash, let's be consistent! Don't portait japaneese as a idiots and wimps...

On the other, big applouse for De Bont as a operator and Scott as for director. Only script sucks :)

[–] bernie-122 15 years ago

Not so much naive as embarassing. Or it should be, if you are an American. It depicts ham-fisted Yanks having absolutely no idea how to behave appropriately in somebody else's country. Sound familiar? (Hint: Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, oh yeah, almost forgot: Vietnam)

[–] Yalmuk 15 years ago

"Somalia,"

Somalia was UN mission.

[–] Adam_P_L 15 years ago

Anyone who watches this movie and doesn't think Ken Takakura is the coolest, toughest mofo in the world is seriously misguided.

Andy Garcia and Michael Douglas play great characters in this movie. But Takakura is seriously badass. He's constrained by so many things, but he steps up and kicks ass. And kicks ass harder than you can believe. I love his relationship with Douglas, and the way it develops over the course of the movie.

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[–] Yalmuk 14 years ago

"bushido"

What about bushido?

"samurai"

In modern day Japan? There is no samurais walking around there.

"karate"

Most japanese dont practise karate.

How is this movie naive? Because there were no samarais or....

[–] OakWriter 14 years ago

The only strong point I can see in your post is that the U.S. cop is 'tough and indefeatable [invincible]', which admittedly requires some suspension of disbelief. But he's more arrogant and rash than 'smart', definitely not put on a pedestal. Sir Ridley Scott directs nuanced films, not pro-American one-dimensional movies as you seem to be suggesting. Have you seen Body of Lies? Thelma and Louise?

To say that the film portrays Japanese men as idiots and wimps is a total misreading. They were tough, smart, honorable and much more organized than the Americans. How you could see Sato or Ken Takakura as weak seriously makes me question if you gave the film a serious viewing.

I hope the many responses to your post have made you re-watch the movie. Would be interested in hearing your thoughts after that.

[–] tooeletoxic 13 years ago

I agree Scott hits the Japanese nuances of the time perfectly.

[–] nutsberryfarm 10 years ago

conklin is totally rash!

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[–] Star_blazer_9000 12 years ago

Bolo is chinese(maybe Taiwanese). You think Bolo when you think Japan? Huh?

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[–] bernardchan1 10 years ago

the OP is a serious clown