Negotiator (2003) [Film Review]

Negotiator; or, Seeking Justice
     Selflessness. Killing the self, is the hardest thing to do.
I admit that I am not a massive fan of Takashi Miike, but I don’t mind checking out his earlier works from time to time. In fact, I think that his movies from the 1990s/early 2000s are more interesting than later endeavours (such as Ace Attorney (2012) Shield of Straw (2013)). As a result, I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon Negotiator from 2003 (not to be mistaken with Negotiator: Mashita Masayoshi (2005) and The Negotiator: The Movie (2010)). This somewhat forgotten entry from Miike’s filmography serves as a proof that the director can craft an engaging drama with a touch of suspense.

Release Info

Directed by: Takashi Miike Starring: Hiroshi Mikami, Mayu Tsuruta, Shiro Sano, Kumi Nakamura

Language: Japanese Original Title: 交渉人 Runtime: 107 min

Synopsis
Inspector Ishida (Hiroshi Mikami) and Captain Tohno (Mayu Tsuruta) are two professional negotiators who handle the most difficult stand-off situations. There are rumours circulating that they might have been in a relationship but nothing is confirmed, especially in view of the fact that Ishida takes care of his ailing wife (Kumi Nakamura). All of a sudden, a group of masked men robs a convenience store, only to leave and barricade themselves in a hospital and take 27 patients as well as 3 doctors hostage. Tohno arrives at the scene and begins the negotiations, but she is relieved from her duties by Ishida who takes over the case. It turns out that Ishida’s wife is one of the captives. Although the negotiations go smoothly and the patients are quickly released, the criminals vanish without a trace, together with the physicians...

In the Line of Duty
One could think on the basis of the title that Negotiator is yet another police procedural endowed with standard cliches and plot twists of the genre. Indeed, this seems to be the first impression at the very beginning when we are presented with Ishida’s inconsequential actions towards the mysterious criminals (who basically have no motive for taking over a hospital). However, as the story progresses, more and more backstory is revealed through extensive flashbacks (the perspectives of Ishida and Tohno are especially essential). Evidently, I am not going to spoil anything (although the film is 17 years old already), so let me just express words of appreciation for Kota Yamada and his thoughtful screenplay.

Apart from focusing on the themes of crime and (in)proper punishment, Negotiator also excels at building a very grim and dark tone. This is what I regard to be the film’s only disadvantage because even though the third act is extremely powerful and provides a social commentary on the modern judiciary system, it is also very harrowing as well as depressing. As a result, the rewatch value of the film is brought down to zero.

With regard to performances, I am not that familiar with other roles of Hiroshi Mikami and Mayu Tsuruta, but they did a great job as the leads. In addition, Kumi Nakamura was excellent as Mrs Ishida. Shiro Sano was also convincing as a police detective who is outwitted in the film’s finale. What is more, such awesome stars as Kenichi Endo, Masato Ibu, and Yoji Tanaka appear in small supporting parts.

Recommendations
If you would like to check out Takashi Miike who does not rely on a wacky screenplay, excessive gore, and special effects, then I recommend Negotiator. It is a very neat crime flick if you are in the mood for reflective dramas. Yet another Koshinin deserves to occupy a place next to Yusuke Santamaria’s film and Ryoko Yonekura’s franchise. Overall score: 7/10

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