Brother (2000)

A Japanese gangster is exiled to Los Angeles where his brother lives with a small but respectable multi-racial gang, who he inspires to expand their influence.

Director:

Takeshi Kitano

Writer:

Takeshi Kitano

Stars:

Takeshi Kitano, Claude Maki, Omar Epps

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Takeshi Kitano	...	Aniki Yamamoto (as 'Beat' Takeshi)
Omar Epps	...	Denny
Claude Maki	...	Ken
Masaya Katô	...	Shirase
Susumu Terajima	...	Kato
Royale Watkins	...	Jay
Lombardo Boyar	...	Mo
Ren Osugi	...	Harada (as Ren Ôsugi)
Ryo Ishibashi	...	Ishihara
James Shigeta	...	Sugimoto
Tatyana Ali	...	Latifa (as Tatyana M. Ali)
Makoto Ôtake	...	Chief of Police
Kôen Okumura	...	Hanaoka
Naomasa Musaka	...	Hisamatsu
Rino Katase	...	Night Club Madame

Storyline

A Japanese Yakuza gangster is exiled to the United States. Takeshi settles in Los Angeles where his younger, half brother lives and finds that although the turf is new, the rules are still the same as they try to take over the local drug trade.

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Plot Keywords:

yakuza | los angeles california | california | directed by star | gangster | 

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Taglines:

The one guy you trust to get your back when a whole city's trying to put a bullet in it.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive strong violence, language and brief nudity

Did You Know?

Trivia

Takeshi Kitano's first cut came in excess of three hours.

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Goofs

The car that explodes is a Lexus. When the gang see the flaming wreck, it's a different car.

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Quotes

Mo: What are you guys gonna do?
Ken: Cut his finger off.
Mo: What happens when you cut his finger off?
Kato: Ummm... he can't swim straight anymore.
[smiles]

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Alternate Versions

Region 1 DVD is the U.S Cut version. Not the uncut international version.

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Connections

Referenced in Antikiller 2: Antiterror (2003)

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Soundtracks

Casta Diva che inargenti
from "Norma"
Music by Vincenzo Bellini
Words by Felice Romani

User Reviews

Guys in suits and sunglasses murder one another.

Beat Takeshi is a filmmaker so distinct and so completely different from any other filmmaker that you have to be prepared before seeing one of his films to watch something differently than you normally would. Brother is his first overseas production, and to this day his only one, and perhaps its minimal success and marginal fan base is due to its seeming lack of plot, its evasive editing, or something else that Takeshi customarily draws attention to, whether purposefully or not.

Brother is not quite his best film, but you will realize that the focus is not on the story but on the themes of its story. Completely unlike its characters, especially Takeshi's stone cold killer, its story is something to feel your way through. These characters do not feel much. They do. The movie is mostly made up of deadpan scenes of bloody violence, occasional dialogue, and quiet medium closeups. The music, which like in all Takeshi films is lush and emotional, directs our feelings.

Brother is great for fans of crime movies, gangsters, violence overall, Asian cinema, and even action fans, but Takeshi Kitano's style is a strangely deadpan and very personal approach. It's an acquired taste.

Details

Official Sites:

BAC Films (english / japanese / french) [France] OFFICE KITANO INC. (japanese, english) [Japan]

Country:

USA UK Japan

Language:

English Japanese Italian Spanish

Release Date:

27 January 2001 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Brother

Filming Locations:

Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$60,029, 22 July 2001

Gross USA:

$450,594

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$15,250,594

Company Credits

Production Co:

Recorded Picture Company (RPC), Office Kitano, Bandai Visual Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1