If you could only watch one type of film and no other ever again, what would it be? Comedy Horror Drama (soap) Detective Wetern Musical Science fiction Porn
I positively agree that this poll is of major importance to the world today. Although in this case I believe this to be true, there are were times when they seem to be pointless. While today it seems that nearly everyone would argue that this is good and bad, in society, there is usually a right or wrong that is looked up on as the correct opinion, and so for everyone to agree of to 'love' this annoys me. I believe that one person's opinion really does count but it is always biased by experience, just as mine is here.
Black Rain is a product of its time. In the 1980s, there was a not-so-latent fear in America that its superpower position was being eroded by the rise of Japan's economy. Black Rain plays on those fears as well as the culture clash between two nations that are more similar and more historically tied together than either would like to admit.
The movie is not subtle: in the opening scene, NYPD detective Nick Conklin on his Harley races a young upstart on a Kawasaki. We learn that Nick is under investigation by Internal Affairs for association with crooked cops. Nick represents that world weary American willing to cut corners to get the job done. His partner, Charlie, is young and idealistic--the flip side of the stereotyped American character. However, when both capture a Yakuza upstart named Sato after he perpetrates a vicious murder in New York, both detectives have to escort him back to Osaka, an alien place neither American can understand or function in effectively.
I am not giving any secrets away by telling you that Sato of course escapes and Nick and Charlie have to track him down. They are assisted by Assistant Inspector Masahiro Matsumoto of the Osaka Prefectural Police. Nick, the rugged American individualist willing to cut corners, confronts the duty-bound Matsumoto, who is afraid of ostracision from the group.
Though the plot can be formulaic, and fears about Japan now replaced by fears of the Islamic world, Black Rain is still an enjoyable enough police action movie.
