Brother (I) (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, Omar Epps, Claude Maki

1 win & 1 nomination.

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 Ohsugi	...	Harada
Ryo Ishibashi	...	Ishihara
James Shigeta	...	Sugimoto
Tatyana Ali	...	Latifa
Makoto Ohtake	...	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:

gangster | gang | yakuza | police corruption | restaurant | 

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Taglines:

Are You Japanese?

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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

Details

Official Sites:

BAC Films [fr] (english / japanese / french) OFFICE KITANO INC. [jp] (japanese, english)

Country:

USA UK Japan

Language:

English Japanese Italian Spanish

Release Date:

27 January 2001 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Adelfos ex aimatos

Filming Locations:

Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$60,029 (USA) (20 July 2001)

Gross:

$447,750 (USA) (28 September 2001)

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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The body count is 78.

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Goofs

Ken takes the photo of the potential blackmail victim with his right hand while his left hand is on the table. In the close-up he's holding it with both hands, and then he returns the picture with his right hand while his left hand is on the table again.

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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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Connections

References The Godfather (1972)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

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..!