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American Yakuza
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Wikipedia article
'American Yakuza' is a 1993 American action crime film directed by Frank Cappello and starring Viggo Mortensen, Ryo Ishibashi, and Michael Nouri, with supporting roles by Franklyn Ajaye, Yuji Okumoto, Anzu Lawson, and Robert Forster. The screenplay by John Allen Nelson and Max Strom is based on a story by executive producer Takashige Ichise.
The film had its theatrical release in Japan in December 1993, followed by theatrical release in South Korea in 1994. The film had its video premiere in the United States in 1995 and its DVD premiere in Russia in 2002.
Premise
American FBI agent Nick Davis (Viggo Mortensen) works undercover, rising through the ranks of the Yakuza to infiltrate their operations. Adopted by the Tendo crime family, he is entangled with the Italian Mafia, the Yakuza, and the FBI. In the end he must decide what is most important to him.
Cast
* Viggo Mortensen as Nick Davis / David Brandt
* Ryo Ishibashi as Shuji Sawamoto
* Michael Nouri as Dino Campanela
* Franklyn Ajaye as Sam
* Yuji Okumoto as Kazuo
* Anzu Lawson as Yuko
* Robert Forster as Littman
* Nicky Katt as Vic
* John Fujioka as Isshin Tendo
* James Taenaka as Taka
* Toni Naples as Mrs. Campanela
* Saiko Isshiki as Aya
* Fritz Mashimo as Okazaki
* Joey Ciccone as Rudy
Critical response
'TV Guide' wrote that director Frank Cappello did "an adequate job of weaving a relatively intricate storyline together, while delivering numerous explosive, action-packed sequences", offering that Viggo Mortensen excelled in his performance, and Ryo Ishibashi was impressive in his role. They concluded that overall, 'American Yakuza' "is a surprisingly powerful portrayal of the loyalties that exist in the underworld, where violence and betrayal are a way of life."
Reviewer Anton Bitel wrote after considering Viggo Mortensen's acting in this 1993 film, and how he is better remembered now as Aragorn in the 'Lord of the Rings' films, this one "will leave viewers wondering why Mortensen's talents were not generally recognized a lot earlier." He also notes that one of the film's ironies is that when the Mafia takes on the Yakuza in the film and "boast of their 'American drive and know-how'", they forget the similarities in that a century earlier they were just as eager as the Yakuza "to get a foothold in this country". Bitel feels that "'American Yakuza' is in effect 'The Godfather: the next Generation' an immigrant saga of family, blood and assimilation that just happens to be set in the world of organized crime." He found flaws in that parts of the film "have the look of a rock video" and overall suffers from needing a larger budget. He concludes with praise for the acting, twisting plotline, and the carefully restrained violence.
References
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