Onimasa

Hideo Gosha's 1982 drama is set in 1918 on Shikoku Island, where Onimasa (Tatsuya Nakadai) runs a small-town criminal gang. His power base is tested when he refuses the order of a yakuza chieftain to break up a labor strike, choosing to side with the striking workers, not their corrupt bosses. Needless to say, this act of iconoclastic devotion to the working class is not appreciated by the criminal elite. Much of the film, strangely, is seen from the view of Matsue (Masako Natsume), Onimasa's adopted daughter, who proves to be a tough cookie, standing up to her bellicose father and, inevitably, winning their fights. Adding to the stress is Uta (Shima Iwashita), Onimasa's intimidating wife, who rules the household with an iron hand. Although submitted as Japan's entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category for the Academy Awards, the film's lengthy running time will try the patience of many, while its abrupt scenes of deeply disturbing violence will alienate those who prefer placid arthouse fare (be especially forewarned of a sickening dog fight scene). Nakadai dominates the film with his forceful presence, but Onimasa is sluggish, overall. DVD extras include program notes, bios, and an image gallery. Gosha's fan base will surely appreciate this long-elusive title, but for others this is an optional purchase. (P. Hall)