While her husband is in prison doing time, Tamaki, the wife of a yakuza capo, runs her spouse’s gang with an iron hand. Meanwhile, Makoto, her younger sister, marries a member of a rival band after being raped by him. The two sisters, united by blood ties but married to enemy yakuzas, will ultimately have to decide whose side they’re on.
“Yakuza Wives” is an interesting take on the yakuza genre. Directed by Hideo Gosha, the film follows Tamaki, played by Shima Iwashita, the wife of a jailed yakuza boss. Tamaki has taken control of her husband’s gang while he is in prison. Unfortunately, her younger sister Makoto (Rino Katase) falls for a member of a rival gang (after he rapes her…), initiating a struggle between the two sisters.
A common complaint I have about yakuza movies (at least the ones I’ve seen) is the overwhelming nature of their narratives. In their attempt to distill a great deal of information into a single film, they often become a mess of names and places, creating mass confusion. “Yakuza Wives” handles this well, delivering a large cast without making things difficult to follow.
Despite delving into unpleasant topics, “Yakuza Wives” is a movie that I ultimately enjoyed. It has a good flow to it, naturally building on itself and leading the viewers through the world of these characters. The soundtrack adds an overly dramatic flair, contributing to the film’s tension. The cast’s performances are strong, particularly those of Iwashita and Katase. There is some problematic material, but as a whole, I thought this was a well-told story.
This Blu-ray edition is a limited release from 88 Films, featuring a numbered obi-slip, a booklet with an essay by Nathan Stuart, and reversible artwork. While the disc offers no information about the source of the film’s transfer, I thought this movie featured a very satisfying transfer with an organic and unprocessed appearance. The sound was also perfect for the most part: only one scene had some odd popping sounds (perhaps these were part of the soundtrack?). On disc special features include an introduction by Mark Schilling, an interview with tattoo artist Seiji Mouri, a stills gallery, and trailers.
The yakuza genre usually leaves me reeling. “Yakuza Wives” is a well-handled movie despite not necessarily featuring the usual beats of the yakuza genre. This is a fine disc from 88 Films. Although extras may be lacking, anyone interested in viewing this film should be satisfied with its presentation.
Now available on a Limited Edition Blu-ray™ from 88 FILMS
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