[Film Review] Yakuza Princess (2021)

Yakuza Princess (2021), directed by Vincente Amorim, is the story of a young woman named Akemi (played by MASUMI) trying to balance forging her own path and honoring her family’s history. She became an orphan at a young age, when her family was attacked and killed, but she does not know much about the details.

She fondly remembers her grandfather, and prays to him like a guardian angel. She is living in Brazil, learning martial arts, and trying to decide what she wants her life to be. Meanwhile, a man (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers) wakes up in a hospital, with no memory of how he got there or even who he is. Police show him a katana he was holding when he was found, hoping it will jog his memory. It does not, but it sets him on a quest for information about the sword. One day, Akemi is running from some attackers, and finds the man from the hospital waiting for her in her apartment. Strangers to one another, he helps her fend off the attackers, and asks for her help in identifying the sword. They work together, she uncovering the truth about her family, and he trying to remember who he is and what connection he has to the sword. 

This is a beautiful film that is captivating to watch. The sets are complex and realistic. Akemi works at a knick-knack shop, selling trinkets to tourists, and the bright colors of the shops on the street give the viewer a sense of the city. We see Akemi out for drinks with her best friend at a karaoke bar, and the combination of harsh lights, worn pool tables, and eclectic patrons make the bar seem like a place any of us might go for our birthday. The soundtrack and sound design enhance the sets and the plot, striking a balance between emotional family memories, and exciting action scenes. The stunt work is also stunning. Most of the actors did their own stunts, and the physical commitment to their roles offers a deeper connection to the characters. The coordinated fight scenes are graceful and athletic. Along with well-done practical effects (including a couple of beheadings), the movie feels like a physical, tangible labor of love. And of course, I love to see a badass fighting chick, which is certainly what Akemi is. 

My biggest criticism of the film is that it left me wanting more - and with a two-hour runtime, that surprised me. Yakuza Princess is based on a Brazilian graphic novel called Samurai Shirô by Danilo Beyruth, and adaptations in which longer stories are transformed into movies can often leave some plot points feeling open. I felt multiple times that the film started telling a story it did not finish. The katana at the center of the mystery supposedly traps the souls of those it kills, but we never hear more than a line or two about that. I wanted to learn more about the past of the strange man who wakes up in the hospital. Why did Akemi move from Japan to Brazil, and why did her story follow her there? There are secrets about her family that we never hear, and Akemi seems like a curious person who would have sought more information. Jumping between flashbacks and present day, and from one character's story to another’s, leaves the storytelling feeling rough and choppy. 

There is an emotional, compelling story at the center of Yakuza Princess. It’s a coming-of-age tale that happens to be told through the history of a katana and some violent fights. It will be a relatable story for many, even if you don’t have a family history with the Yakuza, because it’s a story about how to become your own person and leave behind your family of origin, while still honoring and incorporating your culture and heritage. Throw it on to enjoy some good fights, effects, and cinematography, but understand you might not wrap up every plot point, and you will have a good time.

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