Three youths decide to leave the countryside to make it big in the city. The leader of the group, Ryuchi (Kazuki Kitamura), his bookish brother Shunrei (Michisuke Kashiwaya), and their goofball friend, Chang (Tomorowo Taguchi) quickly learn there is much more to city life than they expected. On their first day out, they are robbed by prostitute named Anita (Dan Li). While searching for Anita, Ryuchi meets a drug dealer named Barbie who then introduces him to his boss, Ikeda (Sho Aikawa). They end up working for Ikeda, selling Toluene by the bottle. One day while not having any luck selling drugs, Shunrei happens to run into Anita, who has been severely traumatized by one of her john’s extreme fetishes.

Meanwhile, Ryuchi and Chang are accosted by the highly unstable gangster Wong (played by Naoto Takenaka) who wants them to stop working for Ikeda and work for him. Ryuchi insults Wong and is severely beaten. Chang takes Ryuchi to recover from his beating and they meet up with Anita and Shunrei who have become lovers. The entire scene turns into something of an orgy and the four become an odd gang of their own. Now armed with one pistol between the four of them, Ryuchi, Chang, Shunrei, and Anita plan to rob Wong and escape to Brazil.

The last film in Miike’s Black Society Trilogy is easily the most romantic and sentimental of the three. The four main characters are all very endearing even with all their faults, which are never shied away from. The direction is focused and tight, as is the lighting and cinematography. Despite the often ugly scenarios that take place in the film, the use of filters and dizzying Steadicam balance out the tone. The sentimentality of the tone is accentuated by the beautiful melody of the accordion music used throughout the film.

Kazuki Kitamura (Freeze Me) is interesting as the stone-faced Ryuchi who tries his best not to let the world affect him using all of his tough-guy posturing. Kitamura overdoes the brooding untouchable bit especially early on in the film but manages to come around. Luckily, the character’s facade cracks before the end of the picture and Kitamura injects some much needed depth into a potentially flat performance.

Dan Li’s Anita is a truly pathetic character that finally becomes fed up with what the world has given her and fights alongside her newfound friends for the chance to get out. The scene where she is tortured by one of her clients with "special needs" is horrifying to watch and it's impossible not to feel sorry for Anita. As always, Tomorowo Taguchi (Reborn From Hell, Tomie) is amazing. Chang, a character half Taguchi’s actual age, is likeable despite all of his goofiness and pitfalls. Sho Aikawa’s participation in Ley Lines is little more than an extended cameo but it’s always a pleasure to see such a fine actor in a quirky part. The only true disappointment comes from Michisuke Kashiwaya whose portrayal of Shunrei is too shell-shocked to encourage any emotional involvement from the viewer.

The theme of racism and displacement is especially strong in this film. From the beginning where Ryuchi and Shunrei are shown as children being teased for being half-Chinese to Wong’s obsession with fairy tales from his homeland, the film imbues a sense of inescapable sadness tinged with brief bittersweet moments of happiness. As painful as this film is with its grim view of life on the fringes of society, it is still livened up by some comedy and even a little magical realism.

Although it lacks the level of brutal violence of Shinjuku Triad Society and is much more sentimental than Rainy Dog, Ley Lines is a top notch film from Miike. Oddly affecting and very memorable, this one will stick with the viewer long after the credits roll. The fluid camera work, the vibrant colors, and the experimental editing all come together perfectly in this very original work from Japan’s most dynamic director.

DVD Stuff

This Region 1 DVD is presented in anamorphic widescreen with almost no print damage or scratches in the print whatsoever (unless intentional). Colors are very deep and clear. The sound is decent in the 2.0 Surround Sound. Once again, ArtsmagicDVD delivers the goods. There is a great Tom Mes (author of Agitator) commentary as well as extensive Bio/Filmographies and a trailer for Ley Lines. Another pair of superb Takashi Miike interviews and an interview with editor Yasushi Shamamura.