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Brother

  • 20002000
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
23K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, and Claude Maki in Brother (2000)
Yamamoto (Kitano) is a Yakuza gangster who is forced out of the country when a gang war all but wipes out his clan. Armed with a fake credit card, a forged passport and a bag of money, he travels to Los Angeles, where he organizes one of the most powerful criminal syndicates in the city.
Play trailer2:12
1 Video
24 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Thriller

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.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.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.

IMDb RATING
7.1/10
23K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Takeshi Kitano
  • Writer
    • Takeshi Kitano
  • Stars
    • Takeshi Kitano
    • Claude Maki
    • Omar Epps
Top credits
  • Director
    • Takeshi Kitano
  • Writer
    • Takeshi Kitano
  • Stars
    • Takeshi Kitano
    • Claude Maki
    • Omar Epps
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 137User reviews
    • 72Critic reviews
    • 47Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Brother
    Trailer 2:12
    Brother

    Photos24

    Takeshi Kitano and Claude Maki in Brother (2000)
    Takeshi Kitano in Brother (2000)
    Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, Claude Maki, and Susumu Terajima in Brother (2000)
    Marina(Joy Nakagawa) and Yamamoto(Takeshi "Beat" Kitano) in BROTHER
    Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, Claude Maki, and Susumu Terajima in Brother (2000)
    Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, Masaya Katô, Claude Maki, and Susumu Terajima in Brother (2000)
    Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, Masaya Katô, Claude Maki, and Susumu Terajima in Brother (2000)
    Brother (2000)
    Brother (2000)
    Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, and Claude Maki in Brother (2000)
    Brother (2000)
    Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, Claude Maki, and Susumu Terajima in Brother (2000)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Takeshi Kitano
    Takeshi Kitano
    • Aniki Yamamotoas Aniki Yamamoto
    Claude Maki
    • Kenas Ken
    Omar Epps
    Omar Epps
    • Dennyas Denny
    Masaya Katô
    Masaya Katô
    • Shiraseas Shirase
    Susumu Terajima
    Susumu Terajima
    • Katoas Kato
    Royale Watkins
    • Jayas Jay
    Lombardo Boyar
    Lombardo Boyar
    • Moas Mo
    Ren Ôsugi
    Ren Ôsugi
    • Haradaas Harada
    Ryo Ishibashi
    Ryo Ishibashi
    • Ishiharaas Ishihara
    James Shigeta
    James Shigeta
    • Sugimotoas Sugimoto
    Tatyana Ali
    Tatyana Ali
    • Latifaas Latifa
    • (as Tatyana M. Ali)
    Makoto Ôtake
    • Chief of Policeas Chief of Police
    Kôen Okumura
    • Hanaokaas Hanaoka
    Naomasa Musaka
    • Hisamatsuas Hisamatsu
    Rino Katase
    Rino Katase
    • Night Club Madameas Night Club Madame
    Tetsuya Watari
    Tetsuya Watari
    • Jinseikai Bossas Jinseikai Boss
    Ren Murakami
    • Minaminoas Minamino
    Joy Nakagawa
    Joy Nakagawa
    • Marinaas Marina
    • Director
      • Takeshi Kitano
    • Writer
      • Takeshi Kitano
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Anonymous
    • thug
    • chopsticks the eating utensil
    • gangster
    • yakuza
    • gang
    • 104 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The Yakuza takes on the mafia... in an unstoppable hail of bullets!
    • Genres
      • Crime
      • Drama
      • Thriller
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Takeshi Kitano reputedly had problems working with Masaya Katô. Kato had his own ideas, and Kitano would get so upset that he would yell at him. In the scene where Aniki tells Shirase to put out the cigars, it is really Kitano yelling at Kato.
    • Goofs
      The car that explodes is a Lexus. When the gang see the flaming wreck, it's a different car.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Denny: I love you Aniki! Wherever you at, man!

    • Alternate versions
      US version was heavily cut for violence to be in accordance with MPAA demands for a "R" rating.
    • Connections
      Featured in Los Angeles Plays Itself (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Casta Diva che inargenti
      from "Norma"

      Music by Vincenzo Bellini

      Words by Felice Romani

    User reviews137

    Review
    Top review
    Not Kitano´s best, but still a good movie!
    "Brother" may be Kitano´s most well-known and successful movie, but after all it´s just another sign that success at the box offices doesn´t make the perfect movie, because it lacks in many respects: the story is too one-dimensional and delivers nothing really new, the characters are not developed enough, excluding the brilliant play of Omar Epps and, of course, Kitano himself. However, if you like heavy gunfight violence in the style of "Reservoir Dogs" or Takeshi´s elder "Violent Cop" this is the right film for you! The body count is higher than in all Quentin Tarantino/Sam Peckinpah films together and even some gore like cut off fingers and heads is brought on here and there. Once more the violent pictures are laid under with beautiful piano music what gives some disturbing aspects as well as emotional rollercoasters to this film. Definitely one of the better gangster movies of the last few years, but not the best as often said. A good film which is a little bit overrated... Can´t await to see Kitano´s "Battle Royale" - this one must be really brilliant..!
    helpful•16
    7
    • DJ Inferno
    • May 26, 2002

    FAQ1

    • What are the differences between the US Version and the Uncensored Version?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 13, 2000 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • France
      • Japan
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
      • Italian
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Yakuza Kardeşliği
    • Filming locations
      • Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Recorded Picture Company (RPC)
      • Office Kitano
      • HanWay Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $450,594
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $60,029
      • Jul 22, 2001
    • Gross worldwide
      • $15,250,594
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Jun 15Variety Film + TV

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