Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)
directed by Jim Jarmusch
starring Forest Whitaker, John Tormey, Cliff Gorman, Richard Portnow, Tricia Vessey, Henry Silva, Victor Argo, Isaach De Bankolé, Henry Silva
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MPAA rating: Studio: Plywood Productions, Artisan Entertainment Script: Jim Jarmusch Music: RZA Running time: 116 minutes Suggested retail price: $9.98 (US) Tags: Action; crime; Mafia; Martial Arts; samurai Tactical strength: [6/10]
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for strong violence and language
| Help Wanted |
| Urban samurai hit man needed by the the Italian Mafia for regular work as a remote problem solver. |
Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) follows the way of the ancient samurai and gives blind devotion to his retainer. In Ghost Dog's case, his retainer Louie (John Tormey) saved young Ghost Dog from being killed by urban gangsters. Louie just happens to belong to the Mafia, and regularly sends Ghost Dog -- by carrier pidgeon -- the names of people Ghost Dog should eliminate. Unfortunately for Ghost Dog, the Mafia decides that they must eliminate him, and Ghost Dog must find a way to defend himself and remain loyal to his retainer.
With this plot summary, you might expect just another ultraviolent action movie that exists for the sake of its own violence. Instead, Jim Jarmusch creates an interesting mood of honor and despair. Ghost Dog comfortably follows the samurai code, which Ghost Dog regularly presents as voiced over narrative accompanied by the text of the code on the screen -- in the style of a PBS biographical documentary. In choosing to rejects the typical path for black men in the ghetto, Ghost Dog becomes a solitary, nearly friendless individual, yet comfortable with himself.
Jarmusch also adds to the movie's mood by continually contrasting old and new. The young man, Ghost Dog, works for the old cronies of the Mafia, but Ghost Dog follows the ancient samurai code. The mafiosos regularly watch old cartoons, but listen to and quote rap music. Ghost Dog uses the latest weapons and technologies to conduct his executions. These contrasts demonstrate the constant changes in society, but the one grounded in a solid moral code handles change best.
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