For many of those in the West, the grizzled, impassive presence of Takeshi Kitano usually means one thing; a bit of the ‘old ultra violence’. Having gained cult status on the world stage as the star of films like
Zatoichi and
Battle Royale, Kitano’s international career seems to have been built on the foundations of blood and guts. But in
Kikujiro, we find him on an altogether different outing; and one that comes as a rather pleasant surprise. Written, directed and starring Kitano as the film’s eponymous reprobate, this tale of childhood isolation and unlikely friendship is funny, tragic and ultimately deeply affecting in the most gentle of ways.
