Nobody

Three Japanese yuppies shooting the breeze in a Tokyo bar make a tacky remark about another group of suits at a nearby table. The overheard comment almost leads to a fight, until cooler heads prevail. But when one of the threesome returns to fetch his forgotten umbrella, he's severely attacked with a broken bottle. Vowing revenge for his co-worker, the hot-headed member of the trio goads the others into tracking down the assailants. After happening upon one of them on a deserted backstreet, they exact a brutal beating that appears to be fatal. Now the group of normally civil execs is in over their heads, as threatening phone calls and retaliatory attacks ensue. Director Shundo Ohkawa goes for style over subtle characterization or plausible plotting in this tale of threatened male egos out to prove themselves. A jazzy score and a bluish cast to the many night scenes lends a moody film noir look to an otherwise standard thriller trading on John Woo-influenced slo-mo violence and improbable instances of survival. Optional but certainly watchable. (T. Rich)[DVD Review—May 29, 2007—Pathfinder, 100 min., in Japanese w/English subtitles, not rated, $19.98—Making its second appearance on DVD, 1999's Nobody features a disappointing transfer and extras limited to a stills gallery and trailers. Bottom line: an unexceptionable DVD release of a so-so film.]