American Yakuza (1993)

An American FBI agent is lured away by the Japanese Mafia--the Yakuza--in this action film.

Director:

Frank A. Cappello (as Frank Cappello)

Writers:

Takashige Ichise (story) (as Taka Ichise), Max Strom (screenplay)

Stars:

Viggo Mortensen, Ryo Ishibashi, Michael Nouri

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Viggo Mortensen	...	Nick Davis / David Brandt
Ryo Ishibashi	...	Shuji Sawamoto
Michael Nouri	...	Dino Campanela
Franklyn Ajaye	...	Sam
Yuji Okumoto	...	Kazuo
Anzu Lawson	...	Yuko (as Cristina Lawson)
Robert Forster	...	Littman
John Fujioka	...	Isshin Tendo
Nicky Katt	...	Vic
Jimmy Taenaka	...	Taka (as James Katsuyuki Taenaka)
Saiko Isshiki	...	Aya
Fritz Mashimo	...	Okazaki
Jeff Bankert	...	Medical Student
Rosine 'Ace' Hatem	...	Agent #1
John Hammil	...	Agent #2

Storyline

When Nick Davis leaves prison after one year in solitaire, he is hired to operate forklift in a warehouse in the harbor owned by the Japanese Yakuza patriarch Isshin Tendo. The place is assaulted by the Italian Mafia leaded by Dino Campanela and Nick rescues and saves the life of Shuji Sawamoto, who is the representative of Yakuza interests in America. Shuji hires Nick to work for Yakuza and becomes his godfather in the family after his oath to join Yakuza. However, Nick is a lonely FBI undercover agent assigned to penetrate in the criminal organization. When the FBI discovers that Campanela is organizing a massive attack to destroy the Yakuza, Nick's boss Littman calls off the operation to leave the dirty work to the Italian Mafia. But the connection of Nick with Shuji and his goddaughter Yuko forces him to help his Japanese family.

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Plot Keywords:

yakuza | fbi | mafia | forklift | undercover agent | 

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Taglines:

The mob has a new enemy.

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1993 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Amerikai jakuza

Filming Locations:

Echo Park Lake, Echo Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

First Look International,NEO Motion Pictures,Overseas FilmGroup

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the young doctor demands Nick's ring in payment, Nick smashes him into the wall before giving it to him. Viggo Mortenson really broke the wall when he did this, surprising the crew.

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Goofs

(at around 1 min) When the Japanese bodyguard fires the last bullet out of the Thompson machine gun, the scene cuts to a shot of the spent bullet casings hitting the ground. As the shells hit the ground, you can clearly see the that ends of the cartridges, where the bullet exits the shell have been crimped, indicating that these are spent blanks. Real spent bullet casings are smooth.

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Alternate Versions

The 18-rated German video version was cut for violence in many scenes. The TV-Version and the DVD-Release are also cut

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Connections

Followed by Back to Back (1996)

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Soundtracks

I Have You To Love
Written by Tony Lorrich and Mark Portmann
Produced by Tony Lorrich for Organic Winter Productions
Vocals by Elaine Woodard
Published © 1993 by Sagacious Music and Marport Music

User Reviews

Predictable but reasonably entertaining

Half way through watching this film I had the sudden suspicion that I had seen this film before but, after checking, discovered that I hadn't - and I think that signifies its biggest failing. Essentially it's by-the-numbers film-making, making use of every genre cliché which means it has a certain predictability about it.

Viggo Mortensen gives a decent performance, although for me his pretty boy looks means he's miscast in the role of an undercover cop who infiltrates the Yakuza, and the story is reasonably entertaining and fast-moving. The characterisation is fairly predictable though: wise older Japanese gangster, hot-headed younger gangster, cold-blooded Italian gangster, etc. The film sometimes looks as if it's heading in some interesting directions (the Italian mobster's verbally abused sidekick for example) but these turn into dead ends. The cinematography is first-class though. Successful on its own low-budget terms, the film will entertain those who watch without high expectations.