The Homeless (1974) User Reviews

Feels like movie never really get a purpose

[Angel_Peter · 2/10 · 9 October 2022]

This movie is a slow starter, which is not really always a bad thing. But unfortunately it does not really go anywhere seriously. A lot of plot points are started but not really explored or dealt with in any meaningful way.

To add that there is very little character development in the 2 of the 3 main characters. No real purpose of the 2 of the characters. Shintarô Katsu carries the movie, but even his talent cannot replace a story.

Ken Takakura has a role that even his charisma cannot make interesting. Being completely uninterested in everything is rarely interesting.

The ending made me feel like I had just wasted 1½ hour of my life. I could see why it could end this way but why try to tell a story and end it that way. So even though a lot of screen time for 3 actors I cherish I cannot recommend it to other people than those that like to make up their own story.

Ken Takakura at his ever best.

[searchanddestroy-1 · 8/10 · 10 February 2019]

For me a French movie lover, I consider Ken Takakura as the most known and best Japanese actor in the world, with of course Toshiro Mifune. This film is not his best though, even with the presence of Ando Noburu and - I don't know his name - Zatoichi character actor. The story has many difficulties to start and also explain many things. But only watching Takakura playing in a very minimalist role, which Jean Pierre Melville would have certainly loved, is a pure moment of pleasure. It's a yakuza tale where it is question of friendship and loyalty. Two long time friends just released from jail try to adjust their amitions with the local mob one.This topic about two men, very close friends, and a woman seeking a sunken treasure against all odds reminds me Robert Enrico's LES AVENTURIERS, starring Lino Ventura and Alain Delon. Astounding music score looking like the French ones of this seventies period. But a very sad ending, I warn you.

Ken Takakura at his ever best.

[searchanddestroy-1 · 8/10 · 10 February 2019]

This is not a masterpiece this Japanse adventure crime movie starring Ken Takakura and Ando Noburu in a small part. You also have the actor who played in the ZATOICHI series. This is a yakuza movie speaking of two long time friends who, after being released from jail, try to search a sunk treasure despite the presence of the local mob, yakuzas. Takakura is as great as ever, the kind of character whom Jean Pierre Melville would have loved, am sure. A topic about friendship, loyalty and nostalgia. A sad story too. And this scheme of two male friends who, whith a woman between them, search a sunk treasure reminds me Robert Enrico's LES AVENTURIERS, starring Alain Delon and Lino Ventura.

Ken Takakura at his ever best

[searchanddestroy-1 · 8/10 · 10 February 2019]

This is not his best film, but that remains a gloomy and very dark tale about two ex cons, long time friends who, just after being released from jail, try to search a sunk treasure, despite the presence of the local yakuzas gangs. You also have Ando Noburu in a small role, and the side kick of Takakura is the same actor who played in the Zatoichi series. Takakura is terrific in this movie, with his face of a lost man, a character whom Jean Pierre Melville would have loved. And this topic about two male friends with a female in between who search a sunk treasure reminds me Robert Enrico's LES AVENTURIERS, starring Lino Ventura and Alain Delon.