Saraba itoshiki hito yo (1987) User Reviews

High 80's

[Falconeer · 7/10 · 3 April 2019]

Highly stylized crime film that veers between sweet, sometimes saccharine romance, and gut busting violence, in the form of very graphic and bloody gun play. This unique take on the 'Yakuza' genre offers up some highly stylized 80's flash, that is reminiscent of the works of Luc Besson from that period. A hardened Yakuza gangster begins to question his life choices after a chance encounter with a childhood friend, one that has grown into an attractive woman. Much like an 80's music video, the action is fast and there is never a dull moment. Fans of the Yakuza genre should seek out this obscure film, however don't expect the dark, moody tones of the 70's films; "Heartbreak Yakuza" is colorful and at times silly, but it delivers in the violence department as it tells an interesting story of redemption.

Dullish Japanese Yakuza flick favours romance over gunplay

[Leofwine_draca · 3/10 · 17 May 2017]

THE HEARTBREAK YAKUZA is a slow and uninvolving Japanese Yakuza movie that goes on a bit too long for its own good. Visually, the film seems to copy the style of John Woo in A BETTER TOMORROW, with a couple of decent action scenes involving fast-paced and bloody mayhem, particularly at the climax. For the most part, however, it's a slow-burning romance that offers only a handful of memorable and powerful moments. It feels dragged out and heavy-handed at times, with a cast who go through the motions rather than innovating, and unusually for a Japanese Yakuza film, it's actually boring for long stretches.