With his boss’s pachinko business failing, ex-boxer and pachinko machine repairman, Hiroki Sakai (played by Kosuke Toyohara), doesn’t know what to do next. To make matters worse, the yakuza who loaned money to Hiroki’s boss, Kenzo Tsumura (Mickey Curtis), are starting to lean on the two of them to get them to pay. To make matters even worse, Hiroki’s friend, Mizuguchi (Ken Mitsuishi), has returned from hiding and gives Hiroki a mysterious package which the yakuza want very badly. Even with the cops and the yakuza on his trail and his boss kidnapped, Hiroki still finds time to fall in love with Tsumura’s daughter, Rie.

This very complicated yakuza comedy is directed by Shinji Ayoma (Embalming, Lakeside Murder Case). The fluid cinematography is precise and eye-catching while the lighting is flawless throughout. The strange characters, seemingly pointless chapter breaks, and the film’s playful musical score give Wild Life an eccentric and random feel. There are so many twists and turns in the film’s plot that it’s better to just give up trying to make sense of it all and enjoy the ride.

The cast is very quirky and gives this oddball film an even greater sense of weirdness. Mickey Curtis (Fudoh: The Next Generation, Agitator) is very good as the sage-like but flawed, Kenzo. Ken Mitsuishi is sufficiently creepy as the doomed Mizugichi and Jun Kunimura (Audition, 9 Souls, Tomie: Forbidden Fruit) is super cool as the yakuza, Mr. Ijima. Kosuke Toyohara (Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah) makes for a great lead as his portrayal of the obsessive Hiroki is hilarious. And the beautiful Yuna Natsuo is quite magnetic as Hiroki’s love interest, Rie.

Wild Life is a very bizarre film with very dry humor (prepare to laugh several minutes after the punchline is delivered). The leisurely pacing and the head-scratching plot are blatant attempts on the director’s part to toy with the audience without sacrificing entertainment. Asian cinema aficionados should seek out the films of Shinji Aoyama and Wild Life is a good place to start.

DVD Stuff

Artsmagic does it again with another fine release. Aside from having a cool menu, Wild Life looks and sounds great in its 1.85:1 aspect ratio and Dolby 2.0 or 5.1. There is a feature length commentary by Jasper Sharp (of Midnight Eye) and extensive cast and crew filmographies. Best of all, the disc includes an interview with the film’s director, Shinji Aoyama. He talks about his influences, yakuza, and blending thrillers with comedies.