This is a suspenseful, complicated, dark, existential caper film. And the one in the Nikkatsu Noir collection that looks most familiar to my American eyes. It’s got a lot of noir style — single-source lighting, low camera angles, contrasts, highlights and silhouettes. And the settings of desolate environments like the abandoned American military base are appropriate for the dark mood.
I think it’s the mood here that feels most familiar to me. Craggy-faced Togawa is a man of honor. He’s been in jail for avenging a crippling injury to his sister, but he has a strict code of honor that inspires loyalty in those who know and have worked with him. He can be ruthless – like when he guns down the two security guards – but this only comes out when he has to be so in the line of duty. Otherwise, he’s a straight-up, honorable professional who does what he says, though as a professional, he doesn’t trust people and tries to cover all the angles. And his main motivation is to get help for his sister.But the world of Cruel Gun Story isn’t a world where honor is an advantage. Nearly everyone here is involved in betrayal to some extent: Togawa by his gangster boss, the boss by Togawa’s handler, Togawa by his crew. And Cruel Gun Story moves to dark ending where everyone, honorable and dishonorable, perish. All have sinned in this film, and all suffer.
A last element I like here is the suspense. When the robbery occurs half way through the film, we know that the focus isn’t going to be on the heist but on what happens afterwards. And the engaging story takes us into many different situations and contexts with unexpected twists and suspenseful coincidences. Cruel Gun Story has a strong story.
This movie is one of the most enjoyable of the Nikkatsu Noir set. I liked the familiarity of so many noir elements, and I enjoyed seeing them applied to the context of Japan, a different environment and culture that highlights the noir elements. What a pleasure this film is.
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