Brother (2001)

Synopsis: Abandoned by the brotherhood of his yakuza clan, tough guy Yamamoto (Beat Takeshi) is forced to leave Tokyo. He goes to Los Angeles in search of Ken (Claude Maki), his younger half-brother. Alone... Abandoned by the brotherhood of his yakuza clan, tough guy Yamamoto (Beat Takeshi) is forced to leave Tokyo. He goes to Los Angeles in search of Ken (Claude Maki), his younger half-brother. Alone and with a new identity, Yamamoto finds himself frustrated by foreign surroundings, especially since he doesn't speak the language.

Yamamoto eventually tracks down Ken, who turns out to be a likable small-time drug dealer. When Ken introduces his older "aniki" to his home boys, Yamamoto is surprised to find that one of them is Denny (Omar Epps), an African-American guy with whom he had a violent run-in on his first day in Los Angeles. Despite initial suspicions and hostilities, an unexpected bond begins to develop between Denny and Yamamoto.

Much to his surprise, Yamamoto finds himself quickly back into the routine violence of his old Tokyo life. He efficiently and sardonically bumps off Ken's supplier and entire Chicano gang to take over their turf.

Before long, Yamamoto's gang grows in number. Business flourishes, money flows. Yamamoto and his boys now wear expensive suits, cruise in limousines and work out of classy loft offices. As success breeds jealousy, Yamamoto joins forces with young rival Japanese crime lord Shirase (Masaya Kato).

When the Japanese gang refuses to bow down to the Mafia, Yamamoto realizes there's no turning back. It's an all-out war without sanctuary for anyone. As things heat up, Yamamoto learns that only Denny has really caught on to the yakuza code of brotherhood... -- © 2001 Sony Picture Classics [More]

Starring: Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, Tatyana Ali, Ryo Ishibashi

Starring: Takeshi Kitano, Omar Epps, Tatyana Ali, Ryo Ishibashi, Antwon Tanner, Susuma Terajima, Tetsuya Watari, James Shigeta, Masaya Kato, Claude Maki

Director: Takeshi Kitano

Director: Takeshi Kitano
Screenwriter: Takeshi Kitano
Producer: Jeremy Thomas, Masayuki Mori
Composer: Joe Hisaishi
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

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