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Takeshi Kitano, Tetsu Watanabe, Ren Osugi, Aya Kokumai

Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker, comedian, television star, author, and all-around renaissance man Takeshi "Beat" Kitano stars in this unconventional take on the crime drama. Kitano portrays Murakawa, a ... read more read more...successful Yakuza officer who has grown weary of the violent life, so much so that he has even considered retirement. Thus, he is not pleased when he is asked to lead a team to help defuse a gang war in Okinawa but agrees when he is assured it will be an easy job. It proves anything but, however, and he soon finds himself in the middle of a complex, bloody conflict. Fearing that he has been set up, Murakawa withdraws to a nearby coastal town. The film takes a trademark Kitano turn at this point, moving away from the standard crime drama plot to focus on what amounts to a gangster's summer vacation, with the killers playing frisbee on the beach and taking dancing lessons. Murakawa even finds a summer romance, falling in love with a local girl who is impressed by his way with a gun. This sunny idyll cannot last forever, however, and soon the realities of the criminal life catch up with them. Seen as a prime example of Kitano's style, Sonatine features a combination of deadpan comedy and unexpectedly romantic lyricism, periodically interrupted by shockingly sudden bursts of violence. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Flixster Users

51% want to see it

7,803 ratings

Critics

88% liked it

25 critics

R, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Takeshi Kitano

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DVD Release Date: January 13, 2004

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Flixster Reviews (454)

  • brooklynspo
    November 4, 2007
    brooklynspo
    Good, but I think Kitano's work got even better.
  • garyX
    December 14, 2011
    garyX
    A prosperous Yakuza is sent by his boss to settle a gang war between rival factions but when the violence escalates he begins to suspect that the whole situation is a set up designed to steal his turf. Sonatine is the film where Beat Takeshi began to perfect his trademark style o... read moref laconic, offbeat characters embroiled within a world of violence that is streaked with his blackest of the black sense of humour. It's probably one of the most laidback gangster films you will ever see, as despite the sporadic bursts of dramatic and extreme violence much of the film is spent with the off duty gangsters while they are bored and bonding on a sleepy beach front. In fact, the lack of glamorisation of the bloodshed and the unsentimental approach to the characters and their relationships make this pretty much the antithesis of the likes of John Woo and his ilk. Kitano instead prefers to show the ugliness of their lives in contrast to the unlikely friendships that are the result leading up to an affecting and unforgettable climax. Embellished by a soundtrack that is understated and sparse yet strangely beautiful - a perfect reflection of the film itself - Sonatine is a true original.
  • SirPant
    September 4, 2009
    SirPant
    Violence and beauty go hand in hand in kitano's masterpiece! Brilliant!
  • DrZeek
    September 30, 2006
    DrZeek
    An exestential, Japanese gangster film. A little romance, some action, some humor. Slowly paced, but nicely done.
  • lesleyanorton
    September 19, 2009
    lesleyanorton
    I don't know how Takeshi Kitano manages to turn a story about turf war, with the lead a cold blooded and bloody killer into a gentle, humorous and somehow innocent story of lost dreams and missed opportunities but he does.
  • threefolddado
    August 5, 2008
    threefolddado
    When you hear mob movie, you think action film, but this is actually a deep, meditative drama.
  • ualush
    October 16, 2007
    ualush
    My first step into the realm of Takeshi Kitano and I've left intrigued. This movie revolves around the life of a Yakuza who is tired of his gangster life and wants out.

    This movie has a first for me, I've never enjoyed a movie where nothing really happens so much. Note, what I ... read moremean by nothing happens is in regards to the standard Yakuza flick.

    What sets this film apart from others in its genre is obviously what it doesn't do and it was refreshing. Instead of the typical gang wars and disputes the whole time, it shows Kitano enjoying life and free time while his group lays low. One of the few gangster films with a strong character study. Mixed with humor and calmness; I enjoyed watching a new take on one of my favorite genres.
  • KLFilmmaker
    October 3, 2006
    KLFilmmaker
    Quirky yakuza gangster story by Kitano. Random stylistic violence helps keep things going in this one.
  • ProudlyExiled
    February 22, 2012
    ProudlyExiled
    Sonatine was a wonderful crime drama. Takeshi Kitano does wonderfully well in this atmosphere. His character Murakawa is tired of the Yakuza life and wishes he could retire. His boss has other plans, sending Murakawa to handle a truce between their gang and another.
    Tak... read moreeshi is a good director as the night scenes were well lit. He also used distances to his advantage. I felt trying to show how Murakawa had grown weary of the gang life. There were a couple of scenes that could have been shortened; as they seemed to drag for just a little too long. The story was excellent. It was filled with comedy, drama, and action. Also as the movie goes on the atmosphere changes to keep you unsure of what could happen next. I went from tense to relaxed; laughing to shocked.
    As you take the journey with him, you begin to see his men and himself get closer. They were almost family like (yes, I know), he even shows that he could be good deep down. There was sumo scene that became somewhat surreal, but was at the same time slightly humorous. When the ending came though, I was touched and shocked. It didn't end they way I expected at all. So if your every on netflix or walking around a movie store and see this film...rent it. The only real downside is it's foreign so you might end up reading some subtitles; but it is so worth it.
  • fb756328268
    January 13, 2012
    fb756328268
    a violent gangster movie with something for everyone. seriously. there are more cutesy montages in this movie than you'd ever expect out of a movie like this. kinda fun.

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Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas
February 14, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Sleek, punchy and altogether captivating. Full Review

Stanley Kauffmann
January 1, 2000
Stanley Kauffmann, New Republic

Gross and trite as the material is, Kitano shows again that he is an ingenious, purposeful filmmaker.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It shows how violent gangster movies need not be filled with stupid dialogue, nonstop action and gratuitous gore. Full Review

Stephen Holden
January 1, 2000
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Kitano's haunting elegy to the gangster way of life. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Eliminates the one virtue American action films can legitimately claim -- vitality -- and replaces it with fake- existential claptrap wrapped in an inept narrative. Full Review

Cole Smithey
October 17, 2011
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

[VIDEO] "Sonatine" is a lyrical picture of Japan's poker face toward the outrageous violence of its mob culture. Full Review

Jay Antani
September 3, 2010
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer

bold and ballsy Full Review

Robert Roten
February 9, 2005
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope

This film resurrected the yakusa genre? It is amazing it didn't put it to sleep for good. Full Review

Daniel Eagan
May 20, 2004
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International

Haunting look at doomed yakuza gangster

Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
February 28, 2002
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies

A different kind of action movie. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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