“Reservoir Dogs” The spirit of yakuza movies that pervades Tarantino *Note! It touches on the ending of the movie.

An uncompromising sense of humanity as a filmmaker

``Reservoir Dogs'' is packed with various elements, and while it is filled with all kinds of unique characters, at its core it is actually a story about the friendship between White and Orange, which was naturally nurtured even though they did not exchange cups. was. It is because of this relationship of believing in each other no matter what happens that this work takes on the awesomeness of an indescribable human drama, and has an overwhelming presence that even surpasses the trouble of misfiring. I must have been able to get it.

If you think about it, there are many movies and dramas that were influenced by ``Reservoir Dogs'' and imitated its style. However, even if they are similar, if you do not understand the ``benevolence'' that Tarantino wanted to portray, it will not even be an homage, and will be nothing more than a completely different self-satisfied work.

"Reservoir Dogs" © Photofest / Getty Images

One of the interesting things about ``Reservoir Dogs'' is that even though you might think it's a movie from a completely different country and in a different genre, it is filled with a strong and strong passion for Japanese yakuza movies. If this had been made as a major film instead of an independent, the ``benevolence'' that he cherished most might have been watered down, and the plot might have been changed to an easy-to-understand plot that even Americans could understand.

Tarantino never wavered in his beliefs on that point. The films he makes always reveal his influences to the fullest, and never forget to depict the spiritual aspects deeply and carefully, never as an afterthought. That's his own way of disciplining himself as a filmmaker. It is "benevolence" that is more than honor and less than humanity.

More than 45 years have passed since the release of `` Battle Without Honor, '' and 25 years have passed since ``Reservoir Dogs.'' Kinji Fukasaku, Bunta Sugawara, Nobuo Kaneko, Hiroki Matsukata, and Tsunehiko Watase have long since passed away. Lawrence Tierney and Chris Penn also passed away. But they live on in the work, and the truly interesting ones never get old. It continues to tremble and fascinate people throughout the ages. We, too, would like to enjoy these masterpieces, full of humanity and honor, over and over again, feeling the hot blood flowing through them.

Text: USHIZU ATSUNOBU

Born in Nagasaki in 1977. When he was 3 years old, he saw ``Superman II'' with his father and became fascinated with movies. After The Graduate from Meiji University, he worked for a movie broadcasting channel and then became a movie writer. Currently, in addition to writing for Eiga.com, EYESCREAM, Real Sound Movie Club, etc., he also contributes to media press and theater programs.

Watch now

View work information

© Photofest / Getty Images