Popular reviews

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  Review by Rafael "Parker!!" Jovine ★★★½

  An intriguing saga/yakuza film that essentially divides into three acts to portray the evolution of these criminal organizations and its impact on their members through time. The film has periods of action and excellent violence, like many of Kitano's films, but towards the end, we can see that the social and personal drama is the film's main focus, and this is where the picture really shines. The camerawork and photography seldom take these angles, and that helps establish a closeness with the characters.

  Much of this bond is formed and ensured by the performances of all, especially that of G Ayano's Yamamoto, who in many ways acts as our point of view. The actor captures both his youthful exuberance and…

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  Review by nick atkinson ★★★★

  The first half is quite average. It didn’t really tell us anything new about the yakuza business, and the romance was poorly developed.

  However, it became clear that it was all building up to the final half: I don’t think I’ve seen a yakuza film that approached the treatment of yakuza in the modern age like this one did. It was really intriguing to see how society treats ex-yakuza and the people who are associated with them. It made me feel conflicted: I felt sorry for these characters, but they had kind of brought it upon themselves by being part of organised crime. And yet for the protagonist at least, he never really had any other options.

  I wish the daughter had got a few more scenes; it would have been interesting to see the stigma from having a yakuza dad.

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  Review by Randa ★★★★½

  One of the best movie from 2020. A raw portrait of the fall of a yakuza family with incredible visuals and performances that border on reality is something that you cannot miss if you are a fan of Japanese cinema since it will stay with you until the end.

  
  Final Score : 88% 🍎

  
  TOP 20 FAVORITE MOVIES FROM 2020

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  Review by Chris ★★★½ 4

  A brooding drama that follows a reticent man named Kenji Yamamoto and his involvement with the local Yakuza, ambitiously told in three chapters over a 20 year period. For all its blood-soaked violence, it's a largely melancholy rumination on someone fulfilling their need for acceptance through a surrogate family and the ever-changing fortunes of organised crime as the passing years bring tighter restrictions.

  It's very much a film of two halves. The first half depicts the appeal that being a part of a criminal enterprise can have to those in a vulnerable position, showing us the mutually beneficial connections and heated altercations that are commonplace when leading such a lifestyle. It's adequate stuff, but doesn't really add anything fresh to…

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  Review by Warp ★★★★

  Strong Yakuza flick about the rise of a man in the organization. Stylistically shot, dynamic camerawork and at times a colorful setting, although Tokyo as a setting helps a lot with that, it explores all the small alleys and slums you don’t know from Tokyo. Good executing of characters also, the films emotion distinguishes itself from other crime flicks, it literally is about a family. Not really action packed but when there’s violence it doesn’t hold back, exactly how it should be used. Only thing I wasn’t big on was the romantic sideplot, although it later gets slightly better. All in all an underrated Netflix flick that deserves more recognition.

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  Review by Ady Permana ★★★★½

  not me crying over a yakuza movie 😭

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  Review by Umechan ★★★ 2

  "I wish I never fell in love with you." 

  As its name goes by, the film is at its best when it discusses about family, Shibazaki-gumi and its fall.

  I love the aspect ratio and colour filter change from 2005 -> 2019.

  Imo, Yakuza films don't get pumped up until they kill someone. So, this film suffers a bit due to Dir. Fujii's hesitation to kill. 

  Still a nice stylish film. Second part is definitely better. Even cried a bit lol.

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  Review by yonosuke ★★★★ 1

  god please stop making me fall in love to every japanese guy with bleached hair i see

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  Review by Phoenix Lennard ★★★★½

  I never thought I'd ever feel sorry for a criminal organization.

  What an incredible, and beautiful film. Yakuza and the Family is a drama story, directed Fuji Michihito, about Kenji Yamamoto's life, in the Shibasaki-gumi Yakuza, from 1999, to 2019.

  This film's story is powerful. An incredible tale about the rise and fall of the Shibazaki-gumi Yakuza, and about the main topic of the movie, family. Kenji starts as a rebellious, apathetic youth, but grows to be a respectable gentleman, after he joins Hiroshi Shibasaki's group.

  Go Ayano does a phenomenal job, as Kenji Yamamoto. From playing a rebellious boy, to becoming a gentlemen, who believes he's finally found his true family, who see's Hiroshi Shibasaki as a father figure,…

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  Review by jord ★★★★½ 1

  nothing like a good old soulcrushing yakuza melodrama to start the year off with. it has a first-half that rings tried and tested, but the second-half is where it really shines - a completely humanist look on those outcasted by society for their sins before

  happy new year

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  Review by alfi✨ ★★★★½

  Bisa-bisanya kok nangis nonton film yakuza😭

  Menceritakan tentang kejayaan hingga keruntuhan yang dialami anggota Yakuza dalam tiga masa. Dan karena pendekatan yang diambil adalah keluarga jadi rasanya memang cukup emosional. Ngga menyangka ikatan mereka ternyata cukup kuat.

  Bonusnya bisa liat Ayano Go dalam tiga wujud, cakeppp. Huhu

  Ken-bo!!!!!

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  Review by schneeland ★★★½

  Melancholic epic of a yakuza swan song. Much better than I expected.