Zatôichi (2003)

	Also Known As: The blind swordsman - Zatoichi,
	Year of first release: 2003
	Director: Takeshi Kitano
	Actors: Takeshi Kitano, Tanadobu Asano, Gadarukanaru Taka
	Country: J
	Genre: Action
	Conditions of visioning: 03.09.2014, Bluray
Synopsis: An old blind man makes his living by gambling and giving massages. But behind his humble facade, Zatoichi (Kitano) is a master swordsman. Zatoichi wanders into a town run by three sinister gangs. He is helped by another gambler Shinkichi (Taka). He's destined for violent showdowns when he stumbles on a samuraï Genosuke (Asano) and on two beautiful geishas avenging their parents' murder.
Review: The story is similar to some Western stories. A samurai arrives in a new town shared by several clans. Kitano shows this story through the eyes of a blind samurai who now works as masseur. This comedy aspect is kept all along the movie. Many reactions and characters have a very funny component. Even if the movie is rather action. In this sense, it reminded me again the humourfull Western spaghetti. As revealed in the articel about the 2 years of JoRafCinema, it seems like we like Western. So not surprise that I liked the story and the directing.  Then there are the usual Japanese weaknesses of acting and lack of rythm. This might be the cultural difference between Japanese and mine. Kitano makes usually movies either zen or violent. This onewas not so straight in the one orany other category.
Rating: 7 /10