Beautifully shot, Mariko Kaga is the key to the film, combining innocence, sexuality, vitality and a reckless abandon. Hence, she draws the men to her--men looking for some way to feel alive.

Thick with noir atmosphere. The score is especially unusual. There's an existentialist vibe, more introspective moments than action. The problem is I never really got involved with these characters. Kaga has a few intriguing moments, but doesn't strike me as the irresistible femme fatale she's presented as. It ends up feeling like a lot of pointless drifting around. Overall I did like the film, especially its bold but restrained stylization. But I feel it won't stick with me for long.

hapisten cikan nihilist yakuza anlamsiz hayatinda bayilirim belaya tarzi bir hatunla tanisinca, onun arzularini, merakini daha da ileri tasiyabilmek icin bildigi isleri yapmaya devam ediyor. sinamatografisi guclu, finali gayet ilginc, gizemini koruyan bir hikaye.

It's very stylish and sets up a lot of characters who could be interesting, but after they're established there's not much else. They simply drift through the film. Cinematography and sound are both top notch, but sometimes I found myself just drifting through the film as well.

Cool visuals and mood, but the characters aren't developed enough for their internal conflicts to resonate with me. Couple that with a very aimless plot and you get a stylish movie with great moments that disappoints by being less than the sum of its parts.

Every shot is incredibly beautiful, but it is also thoroughly boring and ultimately unsatisfying.

Impeccable style and acting - with a form that fits somewhere between poetic realism and noir. Slow, difficult, and ultimately impressive work.

Exquisitely filmed Yakuza art film with a Melvillian aura of detached coolness. Even if I couldn't pick up the political allegory, the feeling of displacement is pervasive.