|
Cast:
Masahiko
Izuke
Makoto
Ashikawa
Hitoshi
Ozawa
Hisashi
Igawa
Katsuo
Torashiki
Takeshi
Kitano
Producer:
Hisao
Nabeshima
Takio
Yoshida
Director:
Takeshi
Kitano
Score:
 
|
BOILING
POINT
AKA:
The Third And Fourth Of October ||
Jugatsu
Year:
1990 Reviewer: Phil
Mills
Masaki
is a quiet man who works as a humble gas station attendant
whilst filling his spare time sitting on the bench for his
local baseball team or pursuing his interest in motorbikes.
However, his life suddenly takes a turn for the worse when he
has dealings with an uncompromising customer who also turns
out to be a member of the local Yakuza. This causes the
Yakuza to come down hard on the gas station, demanding money
as compensation so Masaki asks his best friend (who also used
to be a Yakuza member) to talk with his old contacts and
perhaps put a stop to the disagreement. Unfortunately,
the offers of a peaceful resolution are spurned so Masaki
heads to Okanawa to buy himself a weapon. Once there, he
uncovers a former gangster (Kitano) who has the means to
acquire a gun but also has his own motives for wanting to get
back at the same men. With so many people out for
revenge on the Yakuza, the finale can surely only lead to
bloodshed.
A
mystery to some but a master to others, Takeshi Kitano's
directorial talents can often be perceived as slow or
uninteresting due to his lethargic approach but, for me, the
lack of action always leads to interesting character
interaction that is more thought provoking than any gun
battle. 'Boiling Point' is another example of this
format, although it certainly has the distinct feeling of two separate
stories rather than a film as a whole. My reasoning
behind this is that the opening half is really the story of
your everyday person whose life is sent into disarray by his
unexpected involvement with the Yakuza. In contrast, the
second half follows Takeshi Kitano's character as an outcast
member of the Yakuza who is clearly on the downward spiral.
However you perceive it though, 'Boling Point' proves to
contain an exceptionally interesting take on the genre as both
segments highlight two very opposite ends of the Yakuza
lifestyle with Kitano's easily identifiable storytelling
techniques put to good effect and acting that is spot on from
all involved.
The
directorial approach, as per usual, is one of stillness and
silence (so action fans beware) but there is still a portion
of bloody violence towards the end that sees our main
characters forced to go to arms, just don't expect a segment
from a John Woo picture. If there is one bleak
moment within 'Boiling Point' then it can most likely be put
down to the somewhat black sense of humour that is used to portray
the darker side to Kitano's character. It's not that it
doesn't fit in with the film, it's just that it can sometimes
be a little hard to stomach but you can see how it is
necessary to prevent the viewer from growing attached to what
is clearly an evil man.
'Boiling
Point' is yet another entry into Takeshi Kitano's back
catalogue that I would highly recommend. For newcomers
it may prove a little difficult to get into and occasionally
confusing but those already enjoying Kitano's films will
easily find several merits here that are synonymous with his
best work.
|
