I will appreciate if somebody could explaine me how Sonatine could be named "kind of remake of Pierrot le fou" as it is written in IMDB???! I saw Godard's movie and can't say it could be a remake. Anybody has explanations for the 'kind of remake' determination?
shareI'm not sure you could call it a remake and get away with it... "homage" might be more appropriate. I do know Kitano has stated repeatedly in interviews that Godard was a huge influence on him. There are definitely similarities in the settings, and certainly in the apathy of the main character, but it's been years since I saw Pierrot le Fou (and to be honest, I loathed it), so I can't think of any more details that might match up...
shareInteresting...I hadn't read about the comparisons, but like poster above said, there is a definite apathy to both Pierrot/Murakawa. It's been a while since I saw "Pierrot Le Fou", but one of the main driving factors of that film and "Sonatine" was, in my opinion, not only apathy but an almost provocation of death, in that both protagonists knew that they were doomed at the beginning of their journey but chose to carry it out regardless.
Would love to hear what others have to say.
Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez
Not a remake in the way we tend to understand the term, but there are similarities.
1. Starts with gangster violence.
2. This gets everyone in trouble and they have to escape.
3. More peaceful section on the beach (in Pierrot, it was the French Rivierra). Characters are bored and do their best to add excitement to their lives. This kind of placid existence proves to be unsustainable.
4. Final act that's once again filled with violence. Protagonist shoots a bunch of people.
5. Protagonist commits suicide.
Those are the superficial structural similarities. Characters unable to escape the violence they are drawn to. Characters trying, but unable, to realize a loving relationship. Both narratives are very episodic. Similar "lazy", "pointless" feeling in the middle section.
Other things I noticed: lots of cars crashing and being destroyed, torture using water, emphasis on colorful clothing, dancing scenes, presence of beautiful girl who is also drawn to violence and excitement, visual distinctions between city/country life.
I'm sure there's more.