FIRST LOVE Review: An Exemplary, Hyperviolent Gangster Oddity With A Romantic Punch
Takashi Miike is back, and he’s brought out the goods once more with First Love, having crafted an explosive crowdpleaser proving itself on repeat since showing out for its Directors’ Fortnight premiere at Cannes. Miike’s style of cinema often whimsical and bizzare in some of its mechanics doesn’t always mingle with some minds. Similarly, it’s all but grown his audience and the approval rate he’s received as an award-winner and selected juror at festivals. Admittedly, it took me a while to adapt to his style after purchasing Ichi The Killer and his bizzare-as-hell 2004 sword pic, Izo, about fourteen years ago on DVD from a Suncoast outlet. Believe me, as far as acquired tastes go, you can’t go wrong here. As floundering and all-but extinct as they are in real-life, Miike’s own yakuza underworld isn’t not going down without a fight. You can attribute this line effectively to the role […]