Review: In an interview located on the Artsmagic DVD, Takashi Miike is translated as saying that Young Thugs – Nostalgia is his most favorite cinematic creation. When one takes into consideration the scope and intensity of Miike’s canon, it becomes easy to appreciate the true weight of that statement. Much like the director himself, those who follow Miike’s work undoubtedly have a personal favorite and a reason behind that decision. Whether it be Audition for its unsettling atmosphere, Ichi The Killer with its over the top characters and cartoon-like gore, or any of the dozens of other films that comprise the man’s filmography; if you like his style you more than likely have a favorite that strikes a chord with you, for better or for worse.

After seeing Young Thugs – Nostalgia (the second in the series, though not directly related to the first), I find myself evaluating my own personal Miike favorite, and coming up with a very similar answer. It is rare to see a V-Cinema production (Japanese straight-to-video) with so much heart, especially one of Miike’s. That is not to say that any of Miike’s films lack passion, quite the contrary in fact, but often it seems that style or circumstance overtakes that necessary aspect of character development, leaving a slight void which only manages to hinder the overall product. On the other hand, we find in this particular production just what happens when the plot does not lend itself to excessive expressions of style. The characters can take a minute to breath and the result is rewarding, and particularly in Miike’s case, refreshing.

Now for those who revel in Miike’s typical insanity, fear not. While there is not the overabundance of something like Dead or Alive, there still exists a strange quirk at times that shows all the distinguishing marks of its maker. Naoto Takenaka in particular shows us his Miike alumni roots as he manages to be both the bastard and the charmer all at once. As useless as he is crazy, this street-punk-turned-father manages to beat his wife, son, and his son’s teacher all within a few seconds, only to wrap the scene by having an unforgettable altercation with a broomstick.

Another slight calamity that often befalls Miike’s earlier works is that of the cinematography of the film reflecting the budget. While Young Thugs – Nostalgia is not exactly the type of film that would require a slick look, it still manages to have been photographed in a clean yet artistically sound way that complements the story perfectly.