Chameleon (2008 Japanese film)

Chameleon is a 2008 Japanese crime action film directed by Junji Sakamoto, starring Tatsuya Fujiwara.[1] It was released in Japan on 5 July 2008.[2] It was screened in the Midnight Passion section at the 13th Busan International Film Festival.[3] Fujiwara won the Best Actor award at the 18th Japan Film Professional Awards.[4]

Chameleon
Directed byJunji Sakamoto
Written byShoichi Maruyama
Produced byMitsuru Kurosawa
StarringTatsuya Fujiwara
CinematographyNorimichi Kasamatsu
Edited byShinichi Fushima
Music byGoro Yasukawa
Production
companies
Distributed byToei Company
Release date
  • 5 July 2008 (2008-07-05)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguageJapanese

Plot

Goro is a con man based in Tokyo. He works with his friends Kosuke, Jun, and Tatsuo. In a parking lot, they see a kidnapping of a man, which Goro records with his mobile phone camera. When they watch television news in their hideout, they find out that the kidnapped man is a witness to a bribe scandal of a politician Atsugi.

Goro meets a fortune-teller Keiko. Keiko tells him that she is a victim of marriage fraud and has no money. Goro takes her to his hideout and they start to live together.

Kosuke, Jun, and Tatsuo are killed by Risk Cover Agency's agents. A police officer Kajiwara tells Goro that RCA is working for Atsugi to cover up his bribe scandal.

Goro and Keiko go to a port town. Goro recommends Keiko to break up with him, but she refuses to do so. When they hug and kiss, they are shot by a sniper. Keiko is kidnapped by RCA.

With a gun in his hand, Goro raids on RCA's headquarters and kills the agents one after another. However, the agency's leader Kijima is not there. Goro finds a body that is covered with sheets, laying on a bed.

Goro sneaks into a national assembly and hands out a photograph that captures Kijima kidnapping a witness. Kijima grabs Goro's left arm. It is revealed that Goro's left arm is artificial. Goro tells Kijima that he will wait outside.

Side by side, Goro and Keiko walk in a crowded city.

Cast

Release

The film was released in Japan on 5 July 2008.[5] It was screened in the Midnight Passion section at the 13th Busan International Film Festival.[3]

Reception

Maggie Lee of The Hollywood Reporter stated that "despite some hard-hitting combat and kinetic car chases, Chameleon ends up feeling like a makeover of 1980s TV action."[6] She added: "The film is unsure of its own footing in handling this multi-genre item and fails to provide enough political insight or adventurousness."[6] Russel Edwards of Variety called the film "entertaining if overall low-key".[7]

Tatsuya Fujiwara won the Best Actor award at the 18th Japan Film Professional Awards.[4]

References
  1. "藤原竜也、松田優作のための映画に主演。「カメレオン」完成セレモニー". Eiga.com (in Japanese). 1 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  2. "『相棒』超えで続編も? - 藤原竜也主演映画『カメレオン』初日舞台挨拶". Mynavi News (in Japanese). 6 July 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  3. "13th (2008): Midnight Passion (page 2 of 2)". Busan International Film Festival. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  4. "第18回 日本映画プロフェッショナル大賞が決定!". Cinematopics (in Japanese). 26 May 2009. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  5. "藤原竜也が壮絶な撮影現場を振り返る!「カメレオン」初日". Eiga.com (in Japanese). 7 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  6. Lee, Maggie (5 October 2008). "Chameleon -- Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  7. Edwards, Russell (20 October 2008). "Chameleon". Variety. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
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