Movie-A-Day #29: Ghost Dog - Way of the Samurai

schutd · September 28th, 2003, 07:47 AM

Another of my fave directors, in the independent film realm, is Jim Jarmusch. I love this film, its on right now on IFC. Had to scribble some words about it.

Forrest Wittaker plays a pigeon trainer/ assasin, trained in the way of the samurai. He receives his hits via carrier pigeon, from a crime family capo, carries them out, and sends completion messages back via pigeon.

When a hit on the Don's daughter's boyfriend goes awry, the Don wants him killed. And the capo struggles between his allegience to the family and to the assasin whose life he once saved. The characters are odd, downright funny at times. The mobsters are bumblings shells of what they used to be. Wittakers character helps those in his community, but kills on order, using samurai code as his guide.

This film, like any Jarmusch film probably isnt for everyone. The pacing in his films is VERY deliberate. Some would argue plodding. The acting is a notch below the norm for secondary characters, because he usually employs unknowns outside of the lead character, and the filming is usually washed out, bleak or black and white.

This film's backdrop is tne blean grey backdrop of Industrial Brooklyn, and we follow our protagonist around as he interacts with disenfranchised youth in his community, and helps those in need, all the while receiving his hits via pigeon. He's a hero so to speak. Definitely a troubled soul, who finds directions in his samurai teachings.

Jim Jarmusch is a artful director. Films like Night on Earth, Mystery Train, Down by Law, and Dead Man (all worth a look see) really hammer it home. Ghost Dog combines the story of an assasin with hip hop culture, and teachings from the book The Art of War. This directors' films arent for everyone. But you should at least check it out once to see if they are for you. If you find that you like it, chances are you'll LOVE it. If you don't, you at least gave the arty side of film a try.

Chaplin · September 28th, 2003, 10:16 AM

You haven't lived until you see an Italian mobster rap.

Stout · September 28th, 2003, 01:48 PM

A big, fat Samurai. 'Nuff said.

Suns_fan69 · September 28th, 2003, 08:02 PM

I really enjoyed this movie, even though most of my friends didn't. I really enjoyed the little things in this movie, like the relationship between Ghost Dog and the Ice cream guy (don't remember what his name was or if he even had one). It's such an unusual dynamic that comes through brilliantly on film. I won't go into it as it is a bit of a spoiler.

I also enjoyed the relationship between Ghostdog and the little girl with the books.

I got a nice little kick out of Rza's (of Wu-tang fame) mini cameo and consequently, the soundtrack as well.

Definitely a thumbs up.

mdamien13 · September 29th, 2003, 03:24 PM

Loved the soundtrack. And that's about it.

Brandon_Webb · September 29th, 2004, 07:13 PM

Bringing up a very old topic but i have too, I just realized somebody did this movie and I absolutely love it. One of my fav's. The style in the movie is very cool.