Hazard

Sono made a little trip to the US, and he took Joe Odagiri with him. You're not getting the most balanced view of New York here, as the US functions as a mere representation of the title. Still, it is always fun when a director shoots in a different country. Though the film takes a little time to get up to speed, the second half delivers on its promise.

Shin is tired of his boring, sheltered life in Japan, so he decides to relocate to New York. Once there he is taken aback by the violence and racism. When he is robbed he feels defeated, but while he tries to steal some food from a grocery store he runs into two compatriots who decide to help him out. Shin joins their little gang.

The performances are all over the place and the overly stereotypical depiction of the US is a little grating at first, but once you start to understand where Sono is going with this film things start to fall into place. The film becomes progressively more interesting and those who stick with it will find some strong scenes in its second half. Not Sono's beat, but interesting regardless.