Black Rain (1989)
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Two NYPD detectives are dragged into the Japanese underworld after arresting a yakuza member.
The story
NYPD detective Nick Conklin, who is under fire from Internal Affairs, and his partner Charlie Vincent witness a violent meeting between a Mafioso and Japanese businessmen. They arrest a yakuza named Koji Sato and are ordered by the Japanese Embassy to escort him back to Osaka. Upon arrival, the officers are tricked by yakuza dressed as police, leading them into a dangerous underworld. Nick eventually meets a hostess who reveals Sato is involved in a gang war with a powerful oyabun, while the detectives struggle to navigate the complex criminal landscape of Osaka.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Nick Conklin, an NYPD detective facing Internal Affairs scrutiny, and his partner Charlie Vincent arrest a yakuza named Koji Sato during a botched meeting in New York. They escort him to Osaka, where they are initially tricked by yakuza posing as police. While investigating Sato's activities with the help of Assistant Inspector Masahiro Matsumoto, Nick learns of a counterfeiting war between rival yakuza groups. After a tragic incident where Charlie is murdered by a biker gang and Sato, Nick reveals his own embezzlement to Matsumoto. Nick eventually learns that Sato stole a printing plate to trade for the title of oyabun from a powerful leader, Kunio Sugai, who seeks revenge for the 'black rain' of Hiroshima. Nick manages to convince Sugai to help him retrieve the plate. During a truce meeting, Sato betrays Sugai and flees with the plates. In a final confrontation, Nick faces Sato and chooses to spare his life. Nick and Matsumoto escort a handcuffed Sato to police headquarters. Before returning to the U.S., Nick secretly ensures Matsumoto receives the recovered printing plates as a gift.
- First release year
- 1989
- Runtime (minutes)
- 125
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English; Japanese
- Directors
- Ridley Scott
- Writers
- Craig Bolotin · writer; Warren Lewis · writer
- Cast and characters
- Michael Douglas · Nick Conklin; Andy García · Charlie Vincent; Ken Takakura · Koji Sato; Kate Capshaw · Joyce; Yūsaku Matsuda · Sato; Tim Kelleher · Bobby; Josip Elic · Joe the bartender; Tak Kubota · elder oyabun
- Genres
- neo-noir; action; thriller
- Themes
- Cultural Imperialism; Revenge; Corruption; Counterfeiting
- Tone and mood
- Atmospheric; Baroque; Gritty
- Premise and plot tags
- Buddy Cop; Crime Thriller; Yakuza; Action
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews upon release but has since become a cult classic, praised for its atmosphere and performances while criticized for its script.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 54% · review count: 26; Metacritic · score: 56% · review count: 18; CinemaScore · score: B+ · scale: A+ to F
- Awards and nominations
- Best Sound · Academy Awards · 62nd · Nominated; Best Sound Editing · Academy Awards · 62nd · Nominated
- Production trivia
- Jackie Chan was originally approached to play the role of Sato.; The film was Ridley Scott's first collaboration with Hans Zimmer.; The production was delayed due to the 1988 Writers Guild of America strike.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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