Yakuza Wives: Flaming Passion (Japan, 2005) Options

[Liersi]

Yakuza Wives: Flaming Passion



Japan 2005
Directed by Hajime Hashimoto for Toei Video Co., Ltd.
Starring Reiko Takashima, Aya Sugimoto, Jundai Yamada, Musaka Naomasa, Ai Maeda, Shun Sugata, Hideo Sakaki, Susumu Terajima et al.
Rated R-15

*edit: The title is a translation. The original romanized title is Gokudô no onna-tachi: jôen. The flaming passion is, of course, just as un-erotic as Flaming Brothers. It's the passionate fire of righteous vengeance.


Mark Schilling did a reveiw on this during its theatrical run earlier this year, and its not the kind of deep cerebral experience that bears repeated analysis. You can find Mr. Schillings review via the Japan Times search engine online.

Before the film is filed and forgotten, I wanted to give it a mention here because it has just been released on DVD. I know there are closet yakuza lovers out there who love the traditional ninkyo themes, and this is an entertaining modern entry that constantly defies its low budget roots and delivers a generic but nonetheless captivating and energetic ride with a great cast and ultra-violence.

The story is as mentioned generic. The old boss is dieing and after the death of Reiko Takashimas husband 3 years prior the question of succession is (as always) entering a stage of heated debate. There's a young upstart, ruthless in his methods and sly as a fox, who's favored by the majority of the council. Not Reiko, though, who runs her hubbys group now and shares the old bosses wish that her young brother succeed to the throne. Much scheming behind the scenes ensues, with multiple layers of backstabbing on the part of those who have chosen to go beyond the code of honour.

In a genius move veteran scribe Koji Takada introduces an outsider, the enigmatic and tough-as-nails Eikyoku played by Aya Sugimoto. After 7 years of time she did in her husbands (the upstart) place in their native Korea, she's followed him to Japan only to find him with a new wife and 2 kids. Aya Sugimoto provides the contrast that Reiko Takashimas composed elder sister needed and compliments her perfectly. Like soulmates the two single women bond together when the shit hits the fan and their loved ones start dieing. One with a katana, the other with a hunting knife mounted on here handgun it is them against an army when the inevitable righteous anger is finally unleashed. The result is a bloodbath. In HK they would have called this Flaming Sisters.

Really, it's the cast that makes this film so cool. They're all in high spirits and the chemistry Aya introduces into the film is unreal. Her loss and the strength she draws from it reflect that of Reiko Takashima in a way that is so much cooler than all the battling latex babes in the world. There's the regulars like Shun Sugata and kameos by Susumu Terajima (guarding the old boss's deathbed) and Hideo Sakaki, the cute Ai Maeda, a cool soundtrack and bucketloads of blood. Mind you in typical ninkyo fashion it's not filled with action, the intrigue is the main part. But when blades are unsheathed or guns drawn, the results are as explosive as you could hope for (the R-15 is easily justified). It's this inspired cast of characters and the stylised violence that raise the film above the average and make it a real treat for genre afficionados.

The DVD

Toei standard, correctly flagged and no artificial sharpness. Black levels are slightly too high and should be compensated for on your display. Colour and contrast are good and make for an image that looks like film and not video. Trailers for all of Reiko Takashimas Yakuza Wives films are included as well as a making of, interviews and poster and picture galleries. Nice effort for a Toei Video production. The sound is surround encoded 2-channel DD and clear and dynamic. A good DVD.

The Pictures

Reiko Takashima as the elder sister in traditional garb.



Group photo. Reiko's younger brother and two of his crew (yay for Hideo Sakaki).



Eikyoku (Aya Sugimoto): "Any place is better than that worm-infested hole I spent the last 7 years in."



Beyond cool: Aya asks Reiko for a dance.



Ai Maeda. Even the bit parts are well cast.



When violence hits, it's over the top. The blood showers all of the adjacent table.



Righteous anger. The finale is a veritable massacre. Reiko with katana.



Aya and her gun-knife. This guy tastes both.



Not even the camera is safe. Reminiscent of Baby Cart 2 the geysers shower the lens.



This post has been edited by Liersi: Nov 3 2005, 11:55 AM

[Mr Booth]

Nice review - looks like fun!

Now for the obligatory "I presume it doesn't have English subtitles?" remark

[Liersi]

I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to ask. Keep forgetting to mention it because they so rarely have them. No subs on this one.

It's a load of fun. Been feeding my basic instincts recently, reveling in exploitation, gangsters and gore. But there's brainy stuff ahead to balance it all out...

[jtkv]

Yakuza Wives.. that's the movie the two girls were fighting for in 2LDK!


jtkv

I'm sorry, you shouldn't have to ask. Keep forgetting to mention it because they so rarely have them. No subs on this one.

It's a load of fun. Been feeding my basic instincts recently, reveling in exploitation, gangsters and gore. But there's brainy stuff ahead to balance it all out...
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[muldoon]

Now for the obligatory "I presume it doesn't have English subtitles?" remark
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Toei don't put subtitles on its DVDs (English, Japanese, or any other language). The only exception to this rule is if the film or extras are not in Japanese. In that case, the DVD will have Japanese subtitles only.

If you see a Toei DVD, you can be 100% certain that it does not have English subtitles. It doesn't matter if the packaging is entirely in English (like it is with the recent Teruo Ishii box set).

[Mr Booth]

Toei don't put subtitles on its DVDs

Yeah, but I'm the eternal optimist

[ICE angel]

Liersi, if I'm not intruding, I assume you understand japanese then ?

About the subject of subtitles, do you guys have access to fantitles or whatever for releases like this ? Where to get them ? Please feel free to PM if deemed more suitable. Thank you very much.

[Liersi]

Hi ICE,

of course you're not intruding! I'm glad to see you back after those heated discussions. I enjoy this place way too much to have any personal agenda, and I'm hoping you don't hold a grudge. I know I flew off the handle once and I apologize.

As for your question, I wish there were fantitles for films like this, just so they'd get more exposure. My Japanese gets me through most films without the help of subs so I'm in the comfortable position of not needing them (most of the time, the rest I file under...errm... learning challenges).

Outside of kloofys I wouldn't know where to look for subs, but I'm pretty sure Yakuza Wives is still a no show. Translations from scratch are rare outside of anime, and the best bet is usually a subbed bootleg release or a rip/translation from another subtitle in another region. Either of which would likely show up at kloofy before long, if they materialize at all.

[ICE angel]

I'm kind of embarrassed to say it somehow, but the fact is that I haven't been around much and... well... whatever it was that you're talking about, I either missed it or I don't remember. Sorry

Pity about the subs. We need more international distribution of the Toei catalog (the "classics" namely, as this one being recent perhaps it stands a better chance of a release in due time)... any bored company out there with no ideas about what to sell next ?