Young Masao doesn’t know what to do with his summer. He meets Kikujiro, a surly and rather stupid yakuza now retired, who suggests they go to the seaside. They are also going to look for Masao’s mother, whom he has never met.
This is one of Kitano’s most comical films. Full of skilful slapstick reminiscent of Keaton, it unfolds in a series of gags with a deadpan sense of humour. The aesthetic approach, colourful and brimming with images, recalls the spirit of cartoons and manga and tips the film into an imaginary that sometimes leaves the story aside in order to reveal the characters’ sincerity more clearly.
M.M.
