Thematically and visually predicts WKW's "In the Mood for Love" - but 10x more badass. Fukusaku knows to bring the action, while always humanizing his cast of beaten down cops, Yakuza and disgraced women.
The shaky, hand held camera gives this color saturated and ultra violent film a total sense of immersion into this foreign, yet wholly familiar world of honor (or lack thereof) among thieves.
A tremendous achievement in the gangster epic. Fukusaku is a master. One of the first and best Radiance restoration and releases.