American Yakuza
Encyclopedia
American Yakuza is a 1993
American
action film
written by Takashige Ichise with a screenplay by John Allen Nelson
and Max Strom, and directed by Frank Cappello
for First Look International. Starring Viggo Mortensen
and Ryo Ishibashi
, the film had its theatrical release in Japan
in December 1993, followed by theatrical release in South Korea
in 1994. The film had its video premiere in the United States
in 1995 and its DVD premiere in Russia
in 2002.
) works undercover, rising through the ranks of the Yakuza
to infiltrate their operations. Adopted by the Tendo crime family, he is entangled with the Italian mafia
, the Yakuza and the FBI and must decide what is most important to him.
wrote that director Frank Cappello did "an adequate job of weaving a relatively intricate storyline together, while delivering numerous explosive, action-packed sequences", offering that Viggo Mortensen
excelled in his performance, and Ryo Ishibashi
was impressive in his role. They concluded that overall, American Yakuza "is a surprisingly powerful portrayal of the loyalties that exist in the underworld, where violence and betrayal are a way of life."
Reviewer Anton Bitel
wrote after considering Viggo Mortensen's acting in this 1993 film, and how he is better remembered now as Aragorn
in the Lord of the Rings films
, this one "will leave viewers wondering why Mortensen’s talents were not generally recognised a lot earlier." He also notes that one of the film's ironies is that when the Mafia takes on the Yakuza in the film and "boast of their 'American drive and know-how'", they forget the similarities in that a century earlier they were just as eager as the Yakuza "to get a foothold in this country”. Bitel feels that "American Yakuza is in effect ‘The Godfather: the next Generation’ – an immigrant saga of family, blood and assimilation that just happens to be set in the world of organised crime." He found flaws in that parts of the film "have the look of a rock video" and overall suffers from needing a larger budget. He concludes with praise for the acting, twisting plotline, and the carefuly restrained violence.
1993 in film
The year 1993 in film involved many significant films, including the blockbuster hits Jurassic Park, The Fugitive and The Firm. -Events:...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
action film
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
written by Takashige Ichise with a screenplay by John Allen Nelson
John Allen Nelson
John Allen Nelson is an American actor.- Early life :John Allen Nelson was born in San Antonio, Texas. He spent his first three years in Germany with his three siblings, David, Nancy and Diana where his father was stationed as a doctor for the U.S...
and Max Strom, and directed by Frank Cappello
Frank Cappello
Frank A. Cappello is a screenwriter, film producer and director. His credits include writing the screenplay for Constantine and writing, directing and producing He Was a Quiet Man.-Filmography:As Writer:*Suburban Commando *No Way Back...
for First Look International. Starring Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The...
and Ryo Ishibashi
Ryo Ishibashi
is a Japanese actor and international celebrity. He is known around the world for his roles in the classic Japanese Horror films Suicide Club and Audition. He is also recognized in America for his role as Nakagawa in The Grudge and The Grudge 2....
, the film had its theatrical release in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in December 1993, followed by theatrical release in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
in 1994. The film had its video premiere in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1995 and its DVD premiere in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
in 2002.
Plot
American FBI agent Nick Davis (Viggo MortensenViggo Mortensen
Viggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The...
) works undercover, rising through the ranks of the Yakuza
Yakuza
, also known as , are members of traditional organized crime syndicates in Japan. The Japanese police, and media by request of the police, call them bōryokudan , literally "violence group", while the yakuza call themselves "ninkyō dantai" , "chivalrous organizations". The yakuza are notoriously...
to infiltrate their operations. Adopted by the Tendo crime family, he is entangled with the Italian mafia
Mafia
The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering...
, the Yakuza and the FBI and must decide what is most important to him.
Partial cast
- Viggo MortensenViggo MortensenViggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The...
as Nick Davis / David Brandt - Ryo IshibashiRyo Ishibashiis a Japanese actor and international celebrity. He is known around the world for his roles in the classic Japanese Horror films Suicide Club and Audition. He is also recognized in America for his role as Nakagawa in The Grudge and The Grudge 2....
as Shuji Sawamoto - Michael NouriMichael NouriMichael Nouri is an American television and film actor. He may be best known for his role as Nick Hurley, in the 1983 film Flashdance. He has had recurring roles in numerous television series, including NCIS as Eli David, the father of Mossad officer Ziva David, The O.C. as Dr...
as Dino Campanela - Franklyn AjayeFranklyn AjayeFranklyn Ajaye is an American stand-up comedian. His nickname is "The Jazz Comedian" as he also played jazz for a time earlier in his entertainment career. His name is sometimes alternatively spelled Franklin Ajaye.-Biography:...
as Sam - Yuji OkumotoYuji Okumotois an Japanese-American actor best known for his intimidating movie roles, such as Chozen in The Karate Kid, Part II.-Early life:...
as Kazuo - Anzu LawsonAnzu LawsonAnzu Lawson, born Cristina Anzu Lawson in Klamath Falls, Oregon and is a Japanese American actress, singer, songwriter, comedian and screenwriter. She has also been credited under the names Cristina Lawson, Cristina Anzu Lawson and Anzu Cristina....
as Yuko - Robert ForsterRobert ForsterRobert Forster is an American actor, best known for his roles as John Cassellis in Haskell Wexler's Medium Cool, and as Max Cherry in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, the latter of which gained him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.- Early life :Forster was born Robert Wallace...
as Littman - Nicky KattNicky KattNicholas Lea "Nicky" Katt is an American actor known for his role as unorthodox teacher Harry Senate on David E. Kelley's Fox drama Boston Public.-Career:...
as Vic - James Taenaka as Taka
- Toni NaplesToni NaplesToni Naples is an American actress.-Filmography:*Female Mercenaries *Doctor Detroit as Dream Girl*The Turn-On as Harold's Wife*Chopping Mall as Lead Bathing Beauty...
as Mrs. Campanela - John Fujioka as Isshin Tendo
- Saiko Isshiki as Aya
- Fritz Mashimo as Okazaki
- Joey Ciccone as Rudy
Critical response
TV GuideTV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
wrote that director Frank Cappello did "an adequate job of weaving a relatively intricate storyline together, while delivering numerous explosive, action-packed sequences", offering that Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Mortensen
Viggo Peter Mortensen, Jr. is a Danish-American actor, poet, musician, photographer and painter. He made his film debut in Peter Weir's 1985 thriller Witness, and subsequently appeared in many notable films of the 1990s, including The Indian Runner , Carlito's Way , Crimson Tide , Daylight , The...
excelled in his performance, and Ryo Ishibashi
Ryo Ishibashi
is a Japanese actor and international celebrity. He is known around the world for his roles in the classic Japanese Horror films Suicide Club and Audition. He is also recognized in America for his role as Nakagawa in The Grudge and The Grudge 2....
was impressive in his role. They concluded that overall, American Yakuza "is a surprisingly powerful portrayal of the loyalties that exist in the underworld, where violence and betrayal are a way of life."
Reviewer Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Dr Anton Bitel is a film critic, and an occasional tutor in Classics at the University of Oxford.Born in Australia, Anton obtained a Master's degree and Doctorate from the University of Oxford...
wrote after considering Viggo Mortensen's acting in this 1993 film, and how he is better remembered now as Aragorn
Aragorn
Aragorn II is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, one of the main protagonists of The Lord of the Rings. He is first introduced by the name Strider, which the hobbits continue to call him...
in the Lord of the Rings films
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
The Lord of the Rings is an epic film trilogy consisting of three fantasy adventure films based on the three-volume book of the same name by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. The films are The Fellowship of the Ring , The Two Towers and The Return of the King .The films were directed by Peter...
, this one "will leave viewers wondering why Mortensen’s talents were not generally recognised a lot earlier." He also notes that one of the film's ironies is that when the Mafia takes on the Yakuza in the film and "boast of their 'American drive and know-how'", they forget the similarities in that a century earlier they were just as eager as the Yakuza "to get a foothold in this country”. Bitel feels that "American Yakuza is in effect ‘The Godfather: the next Generation’ – an immigrant saga of family, blood and assimilation that just happens to be set in the world of organised crime." He found flaws in that parts of the film "have the look of a rock video" and overall suffers from needing a larger budget. He concludes with praise for the acting, twisting plotline, and the carefuly restrained violence.