Too much of everything

As Good As It Gets

Am i the only one who thinks........Average?

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

I have recently been going through Kitano's films, and upon seeing thing, I think it's probably the one I like the least. It's kind of a weak film. It has it's moments, but as a whole is too slow and bizarre for it's own good.Just like most Kitano films, it has his signature style. The sudden violence, the comedy, all those things, but in this film it just doesn't work. I think a big gripe is that the story feels too loose. You kind of get lost as to why certain things are happening or how certain characters know each other. It actually begins to feel like two separate films about 50 minutes in. Personally, I found myself more engaged in the story that occurs 50 minutes in then the rest of it. One of the big issues seems to be that Kitano doesn't show up until that later point, and it just feels like not enough of Kitano's character. Also, the ending doesn't help clarify the film. In fact, it makes it more confusing. I won't give it away, but it can be interpreted in different ways. But I will say that if you interpret it one specific way, it kind of explains the general odd-ness of the film.Kitano is known for including some strange things in his movies, but this one just kinda takes it over the top. While the movie can be quite funny, such as a scene involving an M16 hidden in a bouquet of flowers accidentally going off and causing a funny reaction, it just feels like it delves too deep into the comedy and it makes any drama feel odd. There's also some confusing things, like Kitano's character raping his male friend, and then him not really caring the next day. Or Kitano raping a random woman. Some very odd things to include without any reason. There is also a scene where it appears like we are supposed to see the same event twice, but it is all done in one take, which makes it quite confusing, but kind of impressive at the same time. Really strange to see. Although I will give the film credit for somehow making girlfriend abuse funny. (It sounds odd but when you see him hitting her, you can't help but laugh)Overall I think this is a weak Kitano film. It doesn't give me enough drama or character development to keep my interest. I think that's it's biggest problem. It's slow but not for the right reasons, such as building characters and relationships before the big climax, but just feels slow so it can include silly and odd scenes. Only recommended for Kitano fans.

I really can't understand how anyone could see anything good about this movie. The story was incredibly choppy, there were numerous unexplicable gaps in the plot and the story. There wasn't a single character in the movie that was enjoyable or likable to watch except maybe iguchi. The main character basically just stood there for the whole movie, not even reacting to what happens around him. The few times he does act it is in a nonsensical way. I suppose that is supposed to indicate a mild-manner man reached his boiling point, but really it just felt contrived.I suppose maybe if you are a fan of Beat you will like this movie, but he is only in it for a portion of the second half.This is the lowest I have rated a film in a year and I have seen some really bad movies.

I rented this movie to see a Japanese action-gangster movie. It was the best most intelligent action movie I have seen since `Ronin' (Dir. John Frankenheimer). I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be so much more than action. I was challenged by this film I found myself wanting to know more about one actor in particular `beat' Takeshi. He has the commanding presence that actors such as DeNiro, Walken and Klaus Kinski demand. So I went online and was again surprised when I found out he wrote and directed the movie as well.

While not as good as some of Takeshi Kitano's other films like Violent Cop or Fireworks, this still has much to recommend it. For one, this has Kitano's always-stunning direction and twisted mix of comedy and shocking violence. Kitano himself appears in a small role as a gangster, and it's perhaps his most twisted role to date. I would probably only recommend this film to Kitano fans, since it is very muddled and not as tight as his other films. But as a Kitano fan myself, I did like it very much.