The film “Broken Rage” marks a striking return for Japanese film artist Takeshi Kitano, who both starred in and directed the film, which was released in 2024. Known for his mastery of the crime genre coupled with a dry sense of humor, Kitano delivers something truly unusual with this cinematic piece. In a little over an hour, the film consists of the same narrative presented twice: first, as a serious crime thriller, and second as a self-parody.
This film serves as a meditation on the nature of storytelling, human behavior as a narrative, and the masks the players wear in life and on-screen. It is a piece that does not seek to confound the audience with intricate plots. Rather, the film employs the tone and structure so the audience is invited to answer the question: can the same story evoke different emotions purely shift in the manner it is delivered?
Story Overview
The story is about an aged ex-mercenary who goes by the codename Nezumi, which means “Mouse”. Nezumi receives a cryptic message which leads to an assignment, and so he sets out to “quietly” and methodically fulfill the task. As he follows familiar routines of receiving the job, making the necessary preparations, and encountering the law, the atmosphere is tense and quiet.
Ultimately, Nezumi is presented with an offer from the government. There is the possibility of gaining freedom, but only if he assists them in dismantling a larger network. The framework is sparse and unfolds like a traditional undercover sting, replete with furtive glances, tacit understanding, and emotional isolation. The first part of the film is slow and voyeuristic, and the camera meticulously tracks Nezumi’s actions.
Then, without any indication, the film completely resets. The same characters are featured, the same plot points are hit, but this time, everything is infused with humor. The serious tone is swapped out for ridiculousness. Awkward entrances, flamboyant gestures, and intentional stumbling transform formerly serious moments into playful intervals. The change is initially gentle, but rapidly becomes enchanting as it is exposed in full: the same occurrences are presented, but from an entirely novel perspective.
Reflections by the Director About His Legacy
This is not a conventional analysis. Kitano is a household name in the world of cinema, and for years, he has been recognized for his unique talent of juxtaposing humor and serious elements. His rise to notoriety stemmed from his work as a television comedian and performer, later evolving into an acclaimed filmmaker known for sensitive crime dramas. He seamlessly blended those two legacies in the film Broken Rage.
At the age of 77 during the film’s release, Kitano brings a reflective quality to his work. Rather than trying to overly reinvent the genre, Kitano chooses to reexamine genres. By exhibiting the same story two different ways, he not only toys with the audience’s expectations, but reveals the extent to which tone affects perception.
The film serves as a meditation on aging, self-awareness, and narrative. Kitano seems to ponder the roles we take on as we age and the role that laughter plays against a backdrop of somberness. He allows the film to speak for itself, one version dignified and cool, the other warm and knowingly absurd.
Performance and Characterization.
Takeshi Kitano plays Nezumi, a man of few words with a significant presence. His portrayal in the first half is the stoic weathered veteran of the shadows, restrained and controlled. In the second half, he softens the character’s rigid facade either side of a humorously rigid facade. This contrast is not mocking; it is endearing and reveals a willingness to laugh at the character—and himself.
Although the supporting characters may not be fully fleshed out, they serve to reflect Nezumi. Their interactions are the same in both parts of the film, but the mood changes completely. What felt like tension in the first version becomes misunderstanding in the second. What once serious looks turned out to be bare stage form, now resembles melodramatic overacting. Through these small changes, the film makes changes.
Film Reflection and Art Themes of the film
- Tone and Tone Elevation
The film showcases how the way the story is told changes how it is understood by the audience. Every event has the possibility to be serious, funny, and even joyous. Effectuates, in real time, feels dismissive, but it is something else when emotions are involved. When emotions are in the mix, the film is frank.
- Identities and Growing Older
The way the film is portrayed draws ideas on how the years add, but not as a harmful factor. Nezumi’s actions are slow, reflective, and deliberate. The film allows mockery but ends in understanding. Rather than hiding the protagonist’s age, the film chooses to embrace with joy.
- Storytelling as Reflection
Instead of creating tension or presenting shocking moments, the film encourages self-examination. Asserts that every story possesses multiple perspectives, and that frequently, meaning depends on our perspective. This is particularly salient in the contemporary world, as the number of filters and interpretations available to people is constantly increasing.
Visual and Stylistic Notes
The film does not employ complex visual rhetoric. Rather, it focuses on clean framing and steady camera work. The symmetry in shot capture in the two halves focuses on detailed differences. Set design, lighting, and editing are kept constant, which reinforce behaviorally generated tone contrast.
Visual expression of humor comes from misplaced props, awkward silences, and over-the-top reactions. The way these elements have been incorporated does not appear to be imposed, thus allowing the comedic version to be perceived as a more natural extension, rather than an entirely different work.
Reception and Legacy
Though not designed to be a box office hit, Broken Rage has been recognized for artistic courage and self-awareness. Viewers acquainted with Kitano’s earlier works find layers of personal self-assessment within the film’s framework, while other audiences may appreciate it as a charming and earnest experimental work.
The film’s appeal stems from its runtime, as it clocks in just over an hour. For viewers, this film offers an experience that is both efficient and effective. For those looking to experience something different, Broken Rage is one of the few opportunities that can truly be described as rewarding.
Conclusion
Instead of trying to over-impress the audience with grandiose statements and striking filmography, Broken Rage works toward a different narrative, showcasing that with its subtle approach, the audience can still be nudged to reconsider the elements of tone and introspection, as well as the humor that is embedded in the serious moments of life. Kitano’s dual-structure and minimalistic approach offers a gentle and whimsical goodbye to the genre of film he helped evolve, showcasing that the best approach in conveying a story is to view it from various perspectives.
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