Chi-n-pi-ra
Recently,
I found the movie Chi-n-pi-ra online, with no
description other than a release year of 1984 and the subject
matter being something about yakuza. For me, that was enough to
pique my interest, so I gave it a watch to see what was in
store. What I found was an entertaining comedy that, despite a
rather thin premise, captures the essence of Japan's pre-bubble
economy.
In
the film, we see the exploits of two lowly freelance
delinquents, Yoichi and Michio, who make their money off of
horse race betting and light extortion, while being under the
control of more senior yakuza. A member of a family entrusts
them with a case of speed which gets compromised, which prevents
Michio from becoming a yakuza, thus splitting them apart and
straining their relationship. It's a strange premise, definitely
not something seen often.
The
characters in this movie feel very realistic. There's never a
point in the film where I question any character's motivation or
actions. Yoichi and Michio have a great chemistry that shines
throughout the whole film, almost as if they're brothers.
Despite any crimes they commit, they are still underdogs you can
root for.
But
of course, the best aspect of this movie to me is all of the
on-location shots and style choices that perfectly capture the
nightlife of Japan. We get looks at plenty of nightclubs and
discos, as well as a plethora of cool Japanese sports cars and
outfits. Not to mention, having the lovely Eri Ishida in a
supporting role that shows quite a bit of skin. Put simply, this
movie is a feast for the eyes of anyone enamored by the style of
the decade.
Is this movie worth watching? I would think so. It can be a little confusing, but the atmosphere and characters still bring a lot to offer. It's flashy and funny, and is totally digestible by any western viewer. There's no official way to watch this movie in English, so any interested party would have trouble finding it easily. So, good luck.
