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Wasabi
A simple
story, Wasabi tells of Hubert (Jean Reno), a French
cop who resorts to violence to get the job done. The love
of his life ran out on him long ago, leaving him with a pen.
Almost 20 years later he receives news that she is dead, and
that he is the sole person mentioned in her will.
When
Hubert returns to Japan he reunites with his old spy buddy
Momo (Michel Muller) and finds out he also has a daughter
Yumi (Ryoko Hirosue). By Japanese tradition, Yumi comes of
age on her 20th birthday, and Hubert must be her guardian
until then. Followed by shady Japanese Yakuza, he puts together
the pieces of the puzzle on what these thugs want with his
daughter, and how his former love did not die of natural causes.
Although
the plot doesn't require much rocket science to figure out,
it really shouldn't. The first part of the movie sets up the
story of Hubert's life and mental state, the rest just takes
you on the ride.
At times
it's almost slapstick comedy. When Hubert punches people in
the nose, "which (he) does quite often," the people end up
flying 20 feet in the air. The idea that Hubert chooses to
conceal his fatherhood and his past from Yumi for the majority
of the film works for classic laughs. He is, after all, a
superb cop, cool under pressure, but a nervous wreck when
faced with family responsibility.
We also
have Momo, still in Japan after all these years, missing the
good ol' days of blowing stuff up, and desperately wishing
that Hubert is back on some mission that will allow him to
relive those days. Muller is perfectly cast as the comic sidekick.
Very popular
in Japanese TV dramas, Ryoko Hirosue does a great job here
not being the annoying little girl that usually gets put in
this role. In Wasabi she does a perfect performance
as a French speaker, and her acting keeps up with international
superstar Reno.
In most
cases mixing Asian and Western languages, the dialogue always
seems a bit off, but this film keeps it believable and never
lets the pace flag. If you can believe that people in Japan
speak better French than they do English, this movie works
even better. Luc Besson presents a movie that isn't as action-packed
as you would expect from his other films, but a comedy that
lacks those dry moments between scenes.
Unlike
American culture clash movies, Wasabi really keeps
the exploitation of differences to a minimum. Some puns here
and there are well-placed, complementary to what is happening,
as opposed to just being filler. The exception would be a
scene at SEGA world. Just be aware of the Dance-Dance-Revolution
craze, using the coolest cell phones every chance you get,
and of course wasabi that will make your eyes tear.
Don't
expect Leon The Professional. Wasabi moves so
easily, you hardly ever think of the plot at all until they
remind you that there is one. French-made action/comedy flicks
aren't all that bad.
What's
It Worth? $8.50
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