CS Weekly Archive > DVD of the Day > 10/27/06

Finding Honor in Clichés

by Scott castle

Craig Bolotin & Warren Lewis

Combining cinematic clichés like the buddy movie and the fish out of water, Black Rain manages a successful mix of action and intelligence in its tale of two New York cops hunting a fugitive in Japan.  Characterization is key in Craig Bolotin and Warren Lewis' screenplay, which deftly defines reckless cop Nick Conklin (Michael Douglas) and his by-the-book partner Charlie Vincent (Andy Garcia) before setting the two loose in the Yakuza-run streets of Japan.  The obvious culture-clash with Japanese Inspector Masahiro Matsumoto (Ken Takakura) quickly steps aside as the story develops along unexpected lines that throw both of the underlying clichés out the window.  Undercutting the American imperialist ideals of the late '80s with the notion that Conklin isn't always right while creating an alien mystique to Japan allows the film to turn the viewers' expectations against them to tell a satisfying story.  Still, the script's execution, if not its content, is somewhat by the numbers with each twist of the story telegraphed like a boxer with a tell—you know when each punch is coming, it just might be a kick instead of a jab.  Director Ridley Scott's commentary focuses on marshalling the disciplines of filmmaking to breathe life into the pages of script, and a three-part documentary on the film's creation elaborates on the process.

Black Rain (Special Collector's Edition)
Paramount Home Video
Rated R; 125 min.
$14.99

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Scott Castle is one thesis shy of a master's degree in film. He's written two short films, four television scripts, and a handful of short stories. He lives in Los Angeles.

Black Rain (Special Collector's Edition) courtesy Paramount Home Video

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