Jim Jarmusch transposes Jean-Pierre Melville’s Le Samouraï to urban East Coast America for this genre gem. Forest Whitaker tools up as a taciturn hitman who follows the ancient honor code of feudal Japan, bringing him into conflict with his employers, the local Mob. Isaach de Bankolé’s ice cream man and the RZA’s bumping score both slap. -Lee Gardner
1999 Jim Jarmusch 1.85:1 Color DCP 116 min.
