Ken Takakura was, with Toshiro Mifune, the most known Japanese actor in Hollywood, or may I say in the rest of the outside Japan world. We saw him in YAKUZA and BLACK RAIN, remember. He had such a poignant face expression for sad stories, gripping atmospheres of crime, drama or honor tales. This film makes no exception. He plays here a yakuza released from jail after fifteen years for murdering a gang boss. A gang boss who, at this time, had a young daughter. A girl who have grown up in the mean time, as you can guess... Yes, a true yakuza movie, but with not so much action, nor violence, no gun shots, just blades... Takakura Ken at his best.
Review of Fuyu no hana
