The film “Wassabi” is an emotional cinema story created by one of the most interesting and tireless Frenchmen of our time - Luke Besson, who has traditionally acted as a screenwriter and producer. But the maestro entrusted this project with the already verified director Gerard Kravchik, with whom he worked on films from the popular trilogy Taxi. The actors of the film "Wasabi", who worked with the director Kravchik, still noted the recognizable "Besson" style of the picture.
Another revealing crime comedy
Besson's fans got what they expected - another fiery crime comedy, with Wasabi a film whose actors are world famous and popular. The main character, Police Commissioner Hubert Fiorentin (more than charismatic Jean Reno), is distinguished by a severe disposition, straightforwardness, a firm hand and a strong blow. But in everyday life, not in the line of duty, he is a shy and timid man, one-man. For 19 long years, Hubert continues to love the same woman, Miko, despite spending several months with her in Japan, and after she disappeared without a trace. But once, after so many years, he receives news from Tokyo: his lover is dead. In addition to an invitation to a funeral, a man must be present at the reading of the will of the deceased. The actors of the film “Wasabi” during the filming called the presented string a prelude to the most interesting.
Storyline continuation
Perplexed and distressed, the protagonist heads to Tokyo, where he finds out stunning news - he has a teenage daughter. A juvenile funny girl who loves strange outfits, dissatisfied with her nose (exactly like her daddy's), according to the will, on the day of adulthood will gain access to a bank account - a whopping sum of $ 160 million. The girl’s mother was not so simple, she managed to provide her daughter with a decent existence, having seized this amount from the Japanese mafia. Representatives of the criminal organization are ready to do anything to return the lost finances. But the baby has a reliable defender, part-time father, the thunderstorm of the entire criminal world - Hubert Fiorentino.
Action or comedy?
"Wasabi" is a film whose actors and roles were not without reason chosen by Besson himself, because the atmosphere of the tape depended not only on the registered characters, but also on the skill and professionalism of the invited actors. What is more in the movie, comedy or action, is sometimes incomprehensible, this is due not only to Besson and Kravchik, although everything was filmed extremely dynamically, brightly and cheerfully, but also to Jean Reno. The main actor of the film “Wasabi”, Besson’s favorite actor, is simply magnificent, and this time the actor succeeded in playing the role of a shy thug. The image of a tough and experienced policeman was tried on by many stars of world cinema, but few managed to create a memorable character. The hero of Renault will certainly be remembered by the audience, it contains a lot of irony, humor and even comic, although Hubert never smiled for the entire timing. This is the comedic talent of the actor. His character is bright, lively and sometimes parody. The actors of the film “Wasabi” paid tribute to his talent, agreeing that it was he who pulled the picture to a decent cinematic level.
Companion Renault, daughter of Hubert, almost Milen Farmer
Reno's partner, the star of Japanese youth cinema Ryoko Hiroshu, who managed to record three albums and star in several films, created a very distinctive image of the restless Japanese girl. The actress diligently learned the text of her role, even without a decent knowledge of the French language. During the filming of the picture in Tokyo, a couple of actors were chased by numerous fans, so some scenes on the street were shot in haste. The actors of the film "Wasabi", photos of which appeared with enviable frequency on the advertising posters of the picture, after the release of the film, became global internationally popular.
Old friend and ex-partner
The role of old friend and ex-partner Fiorentini Momo, who lives in Japan, was brilliantly performed by the famous actor Michel Muller. Wasabi is a film whose actors migrated from Besson's previous project, Taxi 2. For the character, Momo Hubert is an ideal, a real animated movie idol, so he does his best to help his former partner. He is like an admiring spectator who takes part in the unfolding action. Muller's character is a reference comic hero. Together with Renault, they are like a duet from the movie "Aliens" - Renault-Clavier. The actors of the film “Wasabi” helped the creators to realize the author’s idea and presented the audience with a chic light comedy action movie.
Not without common movie stamps
After the release of the film, many film critics spoke about Besson's project rather unflattering, but few paid attention to boring claims. The viewer after viewing the picture felt positive emotions, was delighted with the funny episodes, sound comedic directing of Gerard Kravchik. But in fairness it is worth noting that the abundance of film stamps did not really benefit the picture. Huge suitcases stuffed with weapons, a partner - a comedian and a wimp, the main antagonist with a scarred face (Yoshi Oida) - all this has already been, verified by many films, a popcorn Hollywood set. But if in Hollywood the ability to write funny dialogs is considered an anachronism, then this is not necessary for French cinema to follow.