Just released from jail, gangster Muraki (Ryo Ikebe) gets involved with thrill-seeking 'deb' Saeko (Mariko Kaga) as a yakuza turf war heats up. The stark black and white cinematography is striking, the score great and the two lead characters, the older, tired-looking Muraki and the young, pretty and self-destructive Saeko are excellent. Director Masahiro Shinoda's depiction of Tokyo gangster life is very mundane, as nondescript, middle-aged bosses play cards, worry about pregnant wives, and bring melons to share at meetings to plan murders. Despite the lengthy, cryptic (at least to me) Tehonbiki scenes, the story remains compelling to its cold, amoral end. Excellent, moody, nihilistic yakuza-eiga.
Review of Pale Flower
