Skip to main content

Postman Blues (1997)

Postman Blues 1997 Movie Poster

Postman Blues is a 1997 Japanese criminal action comedy-drama film directed and written by Hiroyuki Tanaka under the name Sabu. The film features Shin'ichi Tsutsumi, Keisuke Horibe, Ren Ohsugi and Kyōko Tōyama in the lead roles. It tells the story of a postman (Shin'ichi Tsutsumi) who is mistaken by the police as a criminal. The film was released in Japan in 1997 and later in Italy in 1999 and Brazil in 2003. Hiroyuki Tanaka won the New Blood award at the 1999 Cognac Festival du Film Policier for the film.

Sawaki is a postman who's not quite thrilled about his boring way of life. But his life is about to change when he delivers mail to his old schoolmate Noguchi, who's now a member of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia, and just finished cutting his little finger off.

Freddy and Krasnaya Movie Review
***SPOILER ALERT***

F: We reached the end of our 90's-Crime-Japan themed week with Postman Blues. This is the first movie I watched that was directed by SABU, and I love it. We follow a postman that's depressed about his work and the lack of excitement in his life. When he meets an old friend who is now a Yakuza, a retired hitman and a suicidal cancer patient with whom he falls in love, all the excitement that life has to offer is brought back. All these meetings end up making him the most wanted man in Japan, without him knowing.

K: We had a great Japanese week! I also liked Postman Blues a lot! Hiriyuki Tanaka (SABU) managed to create a worth watching movie. A serious plot is generously diluted with black and surreal humor.

Postman blues Hitman
Ren Osugi looking kick ass.
F: This is a really silly movie that can't be taken too seriously. It has very colorful and interesting characters that seem straight out of a manga book. I really don't understand how nobody expanded on these characters and stories and turned this into a cartoon. My favorite character is the stylish hitman with little hitmans inside of him, portrayed by Ren Osugi, 😎 (the only recurring actor in all 5 movies we watched this week!). His scenes were very stylish and full of funny dialogues. Some situations in this movie are really absurd, and when I try to explain them to someone, that's when I laugh the most. I'm thinking of the Olympic cyclist scene here. It's ultra ridiculous.

The ending of this movie has entered my top 5 favorite endings ever, and for that alone it gets 20 points. Within a few seconds, that still shot with the director's name, completely blew up the coolness meter to pieces. Has this editing ever been done on a finale before? It also gets 20 points for the scene in the GIF below. I had to rewind this scene immediately to watch it again, just look at its meme potential. Pure GOLD. 

Postman Blues Hospital Guy
(Full scene below our ratings).
K: Hihihi, that guy was so funny. That look of his - hilarious! I liked our main character bicycle cruising a lot; the tempo was different all the time, depending on the mood he was in. Following Sawaki's red bicycle through the streets of that apparently deserted and cute city was a treat to my eyes. I was actually wondering if these streets have changed a lot or if they remain the same these days. 🤔 So I wanted to mention the great cinematography and, as Freddy already said, a brilliant film editing. 

As a woman, I liked the love story. SABU didn't give much time for the main romantic couple to be together, but the few scenes they had were extremely cute, touching and also sad. The reunion of Sawaki (Shin'ichi Tsutsumi) and Sayoko (Kyôko Tôyama) at the end was still a happy ending for me.

F: I also enjoyed the romantic aspect. It was gentle. The last image we got to see after the credits roll made me smile. Overall, this is a great crime-comedy movie with lots of creativity. If you don't mind some over-the-top scenes and totally illogical happenings, give it a go! We will be doing a SABU week here at Cine It for sure, 'cause it looks like we have a great, not so well-known director to discover, don't you agree, Krasnaya?

K: I am definitely in to watch another SABU movie and find my favorite one!

Postman Blues End Scene
They look really good together.
Freddy's Score: 80/100
Krasnaya's Score: 65/100

FINAL SCORE

POSTMAN BLUES - HOSPITAL GUY

POSTMAN BLUES - HITMAN TOURNAMENT

Our blog is update everyday at 21:00 (WEST)
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Flow (2024)

Plot Summary: A stray cat navigates a post-apocalyptic flood, forming unexpected bonds with other animals as they struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. Without dialogue or anthropomorphism, the film delivers an emotional journey of resilience and adaptation. Director: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: Matīss Kaža, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, Matīss Kaža Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Video Game or a Movie? And we’re back! Still haven’t finished my Frank Oz filmography (only two movies to go!), but hey, when do I even have time to watch movies alone anymore? So, here we are again with another animated feature. This time, it’s Flow by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, a film that has racked up awards and was entirely made using Blender. At first, I was worried. The opening scene ...
Post a Comment
Click to read

10 Lives (2024)

Plot Summary: Beckett, a spoiled and selfish housecat, takes his nine lives for granted. After recklessly losing his final life, he is granted ten more—but with a catch. Director: Chris Jenkins Producers: Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon, Ash Brannon, Ernesto Matamoros, Leland Cox Screenplay: Chris Jenkins, Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon Starring: Mo Gilligan as Beckett Simone Ashley as Rose Ashley Sophie Okonedo as Grace Zayn Malik as Kirk and Cameron Dylan Llewellyn as Larry Llewellyn Jeremy Swift as Happy Bill Nighy as Professor Richard Craven   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Nine Lives Too Many Saturday afternoon with 10 Lives, directed by Christopher Jenkins. Jenkins has been in animation since at least 1988, starting as an effects animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now he brings us this 2024 film about Beckett, a selfish cat who loses his las...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...
Post a Comment
Click to read

King of the Children (1987)

Plot Summary: Set during China's Cultural Revolution, The King of Children tells the story of Lao Gan, an educated youth sent to a remote village in the Yunnan-Guizhou region to work as a teacher. Director: Chen Kaige Producers: Xi'An Film Studio Screenplay: Adapted from Ah Cheng's novella with the same name Starring: Xie Yuan as Lao Gan Chen Shaohua as Principal Chen Yang Xuewen as Wang Fu   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Jumping Into Chinese Cinema Blindfolded Hey everyone. So, back in January, the internet had a little moment, and suddenly, millions of Americans rushed to a Chinese social media app called Red Note. I got curious, joined in, and ended up discovering a whole new world of culture thanks to some incredibly welcoming Chinese users. Naturally, I decided to ask for movie recommendations, and wow, they flooded in. But despite all the amazing suggestion...
Post a Comment
Click to read

Muppet Guys Talking (2017)

Plot Summary: *Muppet Guys Talking* is a delightful and intimate documentary where legendary Muppet performers come together to share behind-the-scenes stories, their creative process, and heartfelt memories of working with Jim Henson. Directed by Frank Oz, this candid conversation between the original Muppet team offers humor, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the art of puppetry and storytelling. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Victoria Labalme, Frank Oz Cast: Frank Oz as Himself Jerry Nelson as Himself Fran Brill as Herself Bill Barretta as Himself Dave Goelz as Himself   Sesame Street and My Childhood Escape To wrap up Frank Oz’s filmography, what better way than with the ultra-casual, heartwarming documentary Muppet Guys Talking? Now, I’ve mentioned before that I was never a hardcore Muppets fan, but Sesame Street? That was a different stor...
Post a Comment
Click to read

The Score (2001)

Plot Summary: Nick Wells, a veteran safe-cracker ready to retire and settle with his girlfriend Diane, is pulled into one last heist by his fence Max. Partnered with ambitious thief Jack Teller, they aim to steal a priceless French scepter from the Montreal Customs House, facing tension, trust issues, and betrayal. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Gary Foster, Lee Rich Screenplay: Kario Salem (story and screenplay), Daniel E. Taylor (story), Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith Starring: Robert De Niro as  Nick Wells Edward Norton as Jack Teller/Brian Marlon Brando as Max,  Angela Bassett as Diane   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Heist Worth the Hype Finally got around to continuing my Frank Oz film journey, and tonight’s pick was The Score. A two-hour-and-forty-minute heist flick that I had been saving for when I had some serious s...
Post a Comment
Click to read