Black Rain
by Ridley Scott (1989)
Two American cops, after escorting a dangerous Yakuza boss to Japan, find themselves involved in a bloody gang war.
Quote
“I was only 10 years old when the B-29s came over us. My family lived underground for three days.
And when we came out, the city no longer existed. The great heat brought the rain, a dirty rain. You made the rain dirty!
Then you force-fed us your values. And we lost our identity. You created Sato and thousands of men like him.
I will repay you.”
(Sugai)
Two Worlds Collide
Nick is the classic angry cop, “tough and pure,” who tackles every situation aggressively and curses a lot.
He’s under scrutiny by the disciplinary board for his not-so-spotless methods and is sent to Japan with his colleague Charlie.
Needless to say, even after landing on foreign soil, he continues to behave in the same manner.
Impatient with rules, cocky, and not keen on being relegated to the role of mere observer.
That’s because he likes to “get dirty,” living missions on the front line, taking the stage as the protagonist without asking for anyone’s permission.
And then there’s Masahiro, his exact opposite. Thanks to his knowledge of English, he becomes Nick’s new work partner.
A mild-mannered man, respectful of the rules, who works cleanly and obeys his superiors.
His “forced” relationship with Nick is immediately conflictual, difficult.
Their proximity will highlight and amplify their cultural and personal differences.
Considerations
Ridley Scott directs this cop thriller with a sure hand and great mastery, using the nighttime atmospheres and warm colors of Jan Debont.
What comes out is a highly spectacular and very rhythmic film that isn’t afraid to show the full violence that governs the Japanese criminal underworld.
The action scenes keep viewers glued to the screen, and the interludes that build the plot flow smoothly without ever lowering the tension.
Particularly notable, in terms of structure and staging, is the sequence showing the ambush carried out by Sato in the New York restaurant.
If you were to nitpick, you might occasionally notice that the main character seems a bit too stereotypical.
To conclude the analysis, it is important to highlight the incredible performance of the three main actors, who brilliantly embody their respective roles.
A film that, despite being a product of its time, has aged remarkably well.
Black Rain – Dirty Rain. A must-see.
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