I sat to watch with no foreknowledge or expectations beyond a little past experience with filmmaker Gosha Hideo, and I admit I found myself surprised. On the one hand, beyond the deliciously flavorful, dynamic score of esteemed composer Sato Masaru, the instances of song and dance were unexpected and pleasing, especially in Egawa's themed bar. On the other hand, while not necessarily as graphic as in other titles, the violence often feels extra personal here, and therefore extra ugly. This is a yakuza flick through and through, but it seems evident to me that Gosha and screenwriters Kakefuda Masahiro and Nakajima Nobuaki took clear inspiration from contemporary Hollywood thrillers in how extended sequences of action and foul business were written and realized, and for that matter editor Soda Fumio in how some moments were shaped. Still other influences are seen in the story itself of a disillusioned former yakuza leader being drawn back in as two rival factions gear up for war. Factor in some almost exploitative sex and nudity to taste, and we have ourselves 'Violet streets,' an extra vicious and dramatic crime flick.
I don't think it's perfect, for the plot and its development are sometimes lacking in full clarity; one supporting character is given questionable treatment. Audience discretion is advised, as before all is said and done we also get a face full of needless animal cruelty. It's fair to say that words like "enjoyable" perhaps bear too positive a connotation as the violence gets nasty and the body count rises. Yet there's no mistaking that the picture is marvelously potent, a sordid saga of consistent tense energy and explosive bursts of action in which no one's hands are unsullied. It's dark and gritty but raptly absorbing; Kakefuda and Nakajima penned a splendidly rich screenplay, with a firmly compelling story, interesting characters, and vibrant, grabbing scenes. Gosha's direction is equally smart, giving ferocious form to the tableau but with a sense of laxity that grants the cast room to explore the feature and let loose as they willed. With striking stunts, effects, and otherwise action sequences, some outright spectacle and ingenuity, and one scene after another in which performers and their characters play off of each other, there is no shortage of opportunity for the cast to ply their trade. Ando Noboru may stand out most in the lead role, but truly everyone in front of the camera illustrates tremendous acting that brings the movie to vivid, invigorating life.
Indeed, 'Violent streets' is flush with tantalizing vitality, and not just the crimson that's spilled or the flesh that's gratuitously exposed. From Sato's compositions to the diegetic selections the music here is an absolute blast, its own special highlight. Actors and characters are treasures in equal measure, full of spirit and personality; Yamazawa Yoshikazu's cinematography is a dexterous and fleet-footed as Gosha's direction. From production design and art direction, to costume design, hair, and makeup, and even down to the lighting, this is a feast for the eyes in its fundamental construction, fetching and enticing. And it bears repeating that every taste of violence throughout and above all in the last third, outwardly difficult as it may sometimes be, makes for a stunning viewing experience, only further enriched by all else herein. Truthfully, while the film has some faults, ultimately these are relatively slight and don't count for much when stood against the stupendous value that the sum total represents. I didn't particularly know what I was getting into when I sat down, but from start to finish this is terrifically sharp, and handily exceeds anything I may have assumed sights unseen. I'd stop short of saying it wholly demands viewership, but if you do have the chance to watch and are open to titles seedily exploring the criminal underworld, then I'm glad to give 'Violent streets' my very high recommendation.
