Fireworks (1997)
"Hana-bi" (original title)

A police officer leaves the force in the face of harrowing personal and professional difficulties. Spiraling into a depression he makes questionable decisions.

Director:

Takeshi Kitano

Writer:

Takeshi Kitano

Stars:

Takeshi Kitano, Kayoko Kishimoto, Ren Ôsugi

22 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Takeshi Kitano	...	Yoshitaka Nishi (as 'Beat' Takeshi)
Kayoko Kishimoto	...	Miyuki, Nishi's wife
Ren Ôsugi	...	Horibe
Susumu Terajima	...	Nakamura
Tetsu Watanabe	...	Tesuka
Hakuryu	...	Yakuza Hitman
Yasuei Yakushiji	...	Criminal
Tarô Itsumi	...	Kudo
Ken'ichi Yajima	...	Doctor
Makoto Ashikawa	...	Tanaka
Yûko Daike	...	Tanaka's widow
Tsumami Edamame	...	Businessman Throwing Rocks
Yûrei Yanagi	...	Chef #1
Sujitarô Tamabukuro	...	Chef #2
Tokio Seki	...	Old Hick

Storyline

Nishi is a cop whose wife is slowly dying of Leukemia. One of his partners gets shot on the job and is confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life and becomes suicidal. Nishi, feeling guilt over his partners accident, tries to help him in any way he can. At the same time, Nishi leaves the police force to spend more time with his dying wife. However, in order to do the right things for those he loves, Nishi must do wrong things. Spiraling deeper into desperation and slowly building up to tragedy.

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Plot Keywords:

police | guilt | leukemia | police investigation | blood | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

20 March 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fireworks

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$59,508 (USA) (20 March 1998)

Gross:

$233,986 (USA) (10 April 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bandai Visual Company, Office Kitano, TV Tokyo

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The paintings that appear throughout the movie were painted by Takeshi Kitano himself after his near-fatal motorcycle accident in August 1994.

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Quotes

Yoshitaka Nishi: Next time, I'll kill you.

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Connections

Referenced in The Cure (1997)

User Reviews

Enchanting Japanese film surpasses Anythin Hollywood can do!

I Recently picked this film up on DVD having recognised Takeshi Kitano in Battle Royale. I Thought at best it would be Moderatly entertaining. I was so Wrong.... This piece of work (directed and starring Takeshi himself) is without a doubt the Most Enchanting Magical Compelling Moving film i have ever had the pleasure of watching. The Imageary in the film is powerful and is backed up by a moving story. Takeshi plays a tough Tokyo cop who is ruthless on the beat, but obviously calm and gentle around his terminally ill wife. When His Partener is Paralysed in an attack he Realises lifes to short so he Decides to Take his wife around japan letting her see and do everything she ever wanted to do. there is not much dialoge between takeshi and his wife but the emotions are played out superbly with brilliant performances from both Of them. The movie grips you and doesnt let go right up untill the Shocking Conclusion. The film is just perfect and is a work of art in itself as a visually stunning and charachtor driven piece of perfect film. I Love it