barryalanmarshall I have had this film in my possession for 18 months but had not got round to watching it all the way through until a couple of weeks ago.The plot is old hat: an attempt by some small timers to get one-up on the mob, but this film succeeds, in spite of its flaws, because of the connection we feel for the characters and the connections between the characters themselves.Mr Bandai is a nightclub owner. It's not a successful business or glamorous interior. It is, in fact, gaudy, almost tawdry, and certainly empty. It's in the middle of nowhere, going nowhere. We only really see it frequented by those to whom Bandai owes money and who are there to collect. Obviously Bandai hasn't got the money, so after being threatened and ordered to pay up or else, he decides to rob them.The gang he assembles to pull off the heist are themselves society's drifters, outcast and tawdry, failed people. One cannot help but connect this film to the economic crisis in Japan at the time, when many in a society, where 'keeping face' is of the utmost importance and unemployment a social stigma, were thrown off the economic shelf onto the scrapheap. In fact, as the film reveals, one of the characters pretended to his wife and kids he still had a job, but they left him, unable to bear the stigma.If this film is about confronting taboos in this respect, it also transcends others. The relationship between Mr Bandai and Mitsuya forms the core of the film. Mitsuya extorts money from wealthy men who don't want their secret lives revealing. He enters the film extravagantly, his behaviour is deliberately arch and artificial and his brash clothes and long hair hiding a vulnerable young man. As a homosexual he is one of society's outcasts, but Bandai accepts him for who he is – even after Mitsuya makes an early move on him.As the film develops, Bandai and Mitsuya are pursued by hired hit man Takeshi Kitano, with whose side-kick there is a sexual relationship – but the inverse of that between Bandai and Mitsuya: one based on domination and abuse. Connecting the two main protagonists, however, there is respect, help and communication, which through the course of events flowers into a deep bond and love.Sadly, given the film's progression, we can never know what would have really happened between the nightclub owner and the hustler. After they have almost made their escape together, Bandai is killed and in the moment before he dies he simply kisses Mitsuya. Whether this is as a thank you, a concession to Mitsuya's feelings, or Bandai's true love, the important aspect is that he could not express it until being alive really matters – when we are about to die.A sad film, beautifully photographed with a dreamy haziness. Bandai and Mitsuya's relationship progresses steadily and realistically. There is nothing sensational or overplayed in the film and with its conclusion comes a sense of palpable loss.High above standard Asian cop thriller fare. Miike Takashi with feeling.

Pingo-2 GONIN is one of the best Japanese movies I've seen. It's use of symbols and dreams in almost every scene makes it a bit hard to get into at the first watching, but if you see it several times, you will see why this is one of the highlights of Ishii.The story is easy to follow and is about five men trying to rip of the Yakuza. Things doesn't go exactly as planned (do they ever?), and they end up chased instead.This could have been a really bad film because of the simple plot, but because of the extremely powerful characters, the complex figures that we see and with full blown motives of everyone involved, this gets to be a very interesting and good movie.I've seen this movie about five times now, and I must say that it has grown. I see new things and can explore side-plots still, which is why I keep coming back to this wonderful film. If you think it is too slow, too weird, too violent, too Japanese or antyhing like that, maybe you should give it a second chance. This is NOT your standard action movie. This is NOT Violent Cop or a HK-film. This is pure drama with an action movie thrown into the mix. Beautifully made, with exploring of gay sexuality, mafia psychology, more true characters than any other action film. It's a gem.I've voted 9 of 10. I would have given it a 10 if I had thought what I think of this movie the first time I saw it. Now, it might be a bit too complex, but that again just makes it a film that will be nice to see in ten years from now. Very good film.

marymorrissey so what if it doesn't make much sense so what if it's this ridiculoustough guy gay story at the root, it's so wonderfully written, theperformances are ooonfooockingbelievable I saw it at the theaterand was terribly disapointed at how bad the vhs (an old copy) Irecently rented looked it had been very beautiful and I hope theDVD is better cause this movie so deserves to look its stylishwondrous best. so perversely romantic, and full of scenes that arejust kind of like a one two punch, layered and outrageous andconfusing and bewildering but never really making one think "thisdoesn't make sense" in short I guess the film creates a universeof its own that has a certain sense to the audience... I wouldn't sayit's "perfect" but it's got something better than perfection : a beautybeauty beauty of a film . . . and actually it is perfect

Masking-tape_Muldoon It's been a year since I rented this film. I still get nightmares. There is one scene in particular (and I think we all know which scene I'm talking about) Which I've been revisiting over and over again in my most horrible dreams. This film has disturbed me in a way that no film ever has. It's a testament to how dark a feature film can be if the filmmakers choose to go there.Personally, I know that I will never be the same.