Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
All assassins live beyond the law... only one follows the code
Live by the code. Die by the code.
In Jersey City, an African American hit man follows "Hagakure: The Way of the Samurai." He lives alone, in simplicity with homing pigeons for company, calling himself Ghost Dog. His master, who saved his life eight years ago, is part of the local mob. When the boss' daughter witnesses one of Ghost Dog's hits, he becomes expendable. The first victims are his birds, and in response, Ghost Dog goes right at his attackers but does not want to harm his master or the young woman. On occasion, he talks with his best friend, a French-speaking Haitian who sells ice cream in the park, and with a child with whom he discusses books. Can he stay true to his code? And if he does, what is his fate?
| Forest Whitaker | Ghost Dog |
| John Tormey | Louie |
| Cliff Gorman | Sonny Valerio |
| Dennis Liu | Chinese Restaurant Owner |
| Frank Minucci | Big Angie |
| Richard Portnow | Handsome Frank |
| Tricia Vessey | Louise Vargo |
| Henry Silva | Ray Vargo |
| Gene Ruffini | Old Consigliere |
| Frank Adonis | Valerio's Bodyguard |
| Victor Argo | Vinny |
| Damon Whitaker | Young Ghost Dog |
| Kenny Guay | Boy in Window |
| Vince Viverito | Johnny Morini |
| Gano Grills | Gangsta in Red |
| Jim Jarmusch |
7.40 out of 10 (20952 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Ghost Dog!!
posted on 07 Jul 2009One of the better movies I've seen in a long time. Combining beautiful action sequences, (Specifically Ghost Dog practising his art) odd but believable relationships, and brilliant humor (Check the mafioso scene where they discuss the meaning of the name Ghost Dog) are blended together with Japanese Mysticism and a hardcore soundtrack.One of the Wu-Tang clan even cameos. Ghost Dog is incredible!
This movie sucks!!!!
posted on 05 Jul 2009As you see I didn't like this movie as much as the others who commented it. In my opinion it is neither funny nor anything else. It is a slow movie, nothing happens at all, the story can be told in less than three setences. Black guy (Forrest Whittaker) believes to be a Samurai. He kills an Italian guy and is hunted and killed by the Italians who gave him the order to kill the guy, so that they can blame someone for the death. Yes this sounds weird. Even though this movie is not much longer than 100 minutes, probably even shorter, it seemed to me that it lasted for more than 3 hours. All this Japanese mytholigy stuff or however you want to call it seems to be pretty foolish and stupid, perhaps that is also Mr. Whittaker's fault. I can't see how anyone was impressed by his acting abilities in this movie. OK it is pretty hard to look indifferent throughout a whole movie. So don't go and watch it, it is boring has no action and some samurai stuff that only seemed to be added to give an intellectual impression.If you like the music (Wu Tang) buy the CD instead, eventhough I think they were also quiet weak. I was completely disappointed by this movie, I don't want to blame anyone for that but how could someone give this movie more than 3 points, I gave 1 !!! In my opinion it was one of the 3 worst movies I ever saw in a theater (the other two were 187 and Burn Hollywood burn). So if you liked them perhaps you also like this one. To all the others DON'T WATCH IT!!!Or perhaps I am just not intellectual enough.
Ignore the negative comments
posted on 05 Jul 2009Anyone who says they don't like this film needs to watch it again - and this time with their eyes open. Ghost Dog is one of the most perfect pieces of cinema I have ever seen. The levels of meaning in this film are staggering. I have seen it about ten times now and I notice something different every time.Don't let the negative reviews here stop you from seeing this film. Along with Fight Club, this is the best film I've seen in the last five years.10/10 is not enough.
A film of complex duality
posted on 19 Jun 2009Jim Jarmusch is, in my eyes, a contemporary genius of cinema. His movies never fail to bowl me over, drawing me into stories that are both entertaining and complex. Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai is no different.The film follows the journey of a young hit-man, Ghost Dog, brilliantly played by Forest Whitaker, who is betrayed by a dysfunctional Mafia family after a bungled hit. Although it sounds pretty generic, the film is filled with thought-provoking questions. We begin to analyse our own moral and philosophical beliefs as Ghost Dog analyses his. If this description sounds fairly pretentious, that's probably because it is. When a film is trying to be this philosophical there are going to be some rather conceited moments. That said however, these are few and far between. For the most part, the film is emotional, powerful and intelligent.But the really great part about Ghost Dog, is the fact that it never takes a clear path. Jarmusch explores an interesting duality when dealing with his protagonist's unswerving loyalty. On the one hand, Ghost Dog's obsession with tradition leads to his own personal downfall. However, on the flip-side of the coin, it is this loyalty that sets him apart from the rest of us. Sure he suffers as a result, but in the end isn't Ghost Dog a better man than most of us?Even the film's tag-line exemplifies this duality: live by the code, die by the code. Aren't they both as important as each other?Now I've rambled for a bit, I implore you to go see this movie. It might change the way you think about Jim Jarmusch…but it might not. Either way, see what you think. Give Ghost Dog a try.
Longer Than It Needs To Be
posted on 26 May 2009When I first read the story for this movie, I was very intrigued. I have a bit of an interest in feudal-Japan kind of stuff and I really thought it was a good concept for the film. The other reviews for this movie seem to be very positive, and I'll grant them that, it is a good movie, when something is happening. Probably it's just the fact that I have seen a lot of fast-paced and no-nonsense action flicks, but I found this movie far too slow.That's basically my only complaint about it. It's just too friggin' slow! Sure, it's fun to watch him drive from place to place, but for how long? Sure it's cool to see the big bad guy watch cartoons but for HOW LONG? Not very.My recommendation to the creators of this film - make a version called Ghost Dog Turbo and cut down about a half an hour, then get back to me. I'll like it a lot more then.
The Yawn of the Samurai
posted on 10 May 2009Definitely not my favorite Jarmusch movie but certainly worth a watch. It has its moments. I like the pace, the photography and maybe the odd joke here and there. I like the scene of that guy building his boat on his rooftop. I like the honest to life Tom Waits type thing about Jarmusch's work. But this film at the end of the day had nothing for me, really. We have seen it all before. Its Leon all over again. The majority of people will love it though, for sure. You know its popcorn kind of cool....a la Kill Bill. Its true Forest Whitaker does look like a bear. My favorite Jarmusch movies would be NIGHT ON EARTH, DOWN BY LAW, MYSTERY TRAIN, even BROKEN FLOWERS IS GREAT and COFFEE AND CIGARETTES. These were all better than this one, I don't recall what else hes done.
awful, awful tripe
posted on 22 Apr 2009i'm speaking from a foggy memory, i remember watching this movie with my aunt, after a recommendation from my teacher, who said it was awesome. how he could have thought such is mind-boggling. my aunt did not like it either. so what is wrong with this movie? well, i suppose you've heard it all before. the only interesting part of the movie, is during Whitaker's drive. a guy gets mugged, and then ends up ninja-kicking the mugger. that was cool. anyways, i don't think Whitaker himself enjoyed the concept, because clearly, he doesn't give a half-daft sith about acting out ghost dog. all he does is sit around, mumble some bushido stuff, and do everyday stuff. then comes the "action sequence" which is downright dumb. you have these guys acting like cardboard targets on a gunnery range, popping up, and getting shot. if you want to see Whitaker at his high, go watch "the last king of Scotland"
One of the best films of 2000!
posted on 02 Apr 2009GHOST DOG is strange, funny, moving, and easily one of the best films of 2000. Forest Whitaker is wonderful in the title role, an assassin who lives by the code of the Samurai and his quirky and violent involvement with New York mobsters. The film is filled oddball characters, beautiful symbolism, and unexpected moments in which some are downright funny. I couldn't help but to smile throughout the films' two hour running time. The Academy probably won't listen, but GHOST DOG deserves at least an original screenplay nomination. It is a true original. A 4 star film! Don't miss this diamond in the rough!
Another worthy entry in the Jarmusch oeuvre
posted on 31 Mar 2009Jim Jarmusch films are a special treat. He only makes a new film every four years and the long hiatus between Dead Man and his latest Ghost Dog has been worth the wait. With Ghost Dog, Jarmusch has seamlessly combined so many different elements. The film echoes such classics as Tokyo Drifter, Sonatine and Point Blank, but retains Jarmuschs' distinct style and personal vision. Forrest Whitaker is stoic and mesmerizing as the title character. The soundtrack by RZA of Wu-tang is stunning and hypnotic. A great blend of action, drama, comedy and tragedy. One of the best films of last year, a shame it didn't get more of a distribution. Should find a cult on video though, like all of Jarmuschs' films.
THIS is the best movie of the year
posted on 23 Feb 2009I missed this on it's theatrical release, because Gladiator came out on the same day. While it's mafia characters aren't that original, and you don't get a new insight into mobsters and gangsters, this is a very original, cool, stylish and funny crime movie from indie legend Jim Jarmusch, which benefits greatly from the excellent performance of Forest Whitaker. The main thing that made Ghost Dog so great was that it wasn't you're average Tarantino rip-off, it was slow paced, offbeat, strange and quirky, giving it this kind of cool that you don't get in most gangster movies, and it stays with you for a long time. So, for me, this was a nearly perfect gangster movie. Great soundtrack too, from Wu-Tang member RZA. 9.5/10.
Jarmush at his best
posted on 15 Feb 2009Jim Jarmush makes a different kind of cinema. It's certainly not mainstream, but it's certainly not the typical art-house movie. In Ghost Dog, like in his previous movies, he borrows the clichés of genre movies (gangsta films, samurai films, mafia films) and put them in a mixer until he obtains something new. At first glance, we've seen all these characters and situations before : the silent professional killer (from Melville, Woo or Seijin Suzuki's movies), the middle-aged tired mobsters (from Scorsese's Casino and Wiseguys), the fast killings ; and yet it's surprising (and fun too), in his cool, jazzy, slow-paced way. Forest Whitaker moves, walks in Ghost Dog like nobody ever walked in a movie before him. His presence is impressive, and makes Ghost Dog not only one of most original characters created recently, but also one who is hard to forget.
Live by the code, kill by the code...
posted on 01 Feb 2009Mystical in a strange way. Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) plays a peculiar samurai-like hittman for a gangster. My first thought was, hey, do they have to shoot EVERYBODY? But after a while you'd notice that isn't the focus of the movie. It is so much more.Some scenes just leaves you thinking, what?? But in a good way! :) That, combined with lots of strange and interesting characters, makes the movie a really good one.
Cool Cat
posted on 22 Jan 2009***SPOILERS*** One strange dude this Ghost Dog, Forest Whitaker, a local boy from the hood who became infatuated with the Code of the Samurai. Throughout the movie, between episodes and shootouts, we see and hear Ghost Dog read to us experts from the book Hagakure about the mysteries of life and those who live it. As well as how to live it to the fullest as a Samurai Warrior. Having been saved from having his brains bashed out, as a teenager, by a gang of white hoodlums by local Mafiso Louie, John Tormey, Ghost Dog, a name he took up later in life,came out of nowhere to contact him four years later. The Ghost Dog wants to be a retainer for Louie in the service as him being a hit-man for the mob. Deadly accurate and mysterious Ghost Dog did a dozen hit jobs for Louie, and the mob, over the next few years. Now he was assigned to do in mobster Handsom Frank, Richard Porthnow, for fooling around with the local mob boss Ray Vargo, Henry Silva, nutty daughter Louise, Tricia Vessey. Catching Handsom Frank with his pants down, watching the cartoons on TV in his bedroom, Ghost Dog blasts him away but to the hit-man's surprise Louise, who was supposed to be on a bus and out of town, was there with him. Ray finding out that his daughter was in the same room where Handsom Frank was hit, and thus traumatized by the shooting, now want's the hit-man, Ghost Dog, iced for doing it. This puts Louie on the spot for sending Ghost Dog out to do the hit, which Ray told him to, in the first place. Louie not wanting his friend to be killed but at the same time not wanting to be killed himself for having him knock off a member of the "family" is forced to tell Ray that the killer of Handsom Frank is a local "Guy from the Hood". Farther more the mysterious hit-man lives in a shack on a roof with a pigeon coop as his only company. The mob guys go from roof to roof knocking off anyone who lives there with a pigeon coop that fits the hit mans description; a big black guy who likes birds. Ghost Dog coming home one evening finds his pad ripped to shreds, and all his precious birds killed by the mob, and it's then and there when he decides to teach the mob a lesson in the Code of the Samuria. The lesson he's to teach hem is how you don't mess with a Samurai Warrior and live long enough to brag about it. Surrilistic movie about ancient ethics in the modern world with Forest Whitaker as the Man as hard and tough as Samurai Steel the mystical Ghost Dog. John Tormey is Louie his savior and master Louie who in the end has to shoot it out, like in an old western movie, with Ghost Dog to make amends for both theirs mistakes and wrong doings in life. A bit deep in some places but still interesting movie with Ghost Dog using his brains brawn's and belief in the Code of the Samurai to do in the entire Vergo Mob. These two-bit hoodlum foolishly thought that he was an easy mark and that they would have no trouble at all to put him away, how wrong they were.
Nothing seems to make sense anymore.
posted on 02 Jan 2009It has been said that you learn to appreciate Scotch. It is not something you like on your first try. I feel that is also true of Jim Jarmusch.It took more than one viewing before I appreciated Broken Flowers, and I imagine it will take several viewings before I appreciate all that this film has to offer. That's OK, as Jarmusch himself said of his films, "It's great that the audience have their own different takes on what they have just seen, and don't know all the answers. Often, I don't know all the answers either." A warrior that lives by a code thousands of years old comes in contact with warriors who also live by a code that is dying. They are relics of the past that have not come to grips with the present. They have morphed into characters that reflect the cartoons they constantly watch. Henry Silva is fascinating as an aging Don after so many films in which he plays the sadistic killer.But, Oscar winner Forest Whitaker (Last King of Scotland) is brilliant as Ghost Dog, the killer who lives by the Samurai code, even to the point of accepting the time and circumstances of his death.The most fascinating aspect of the film, however, is the communication that went on between Ghost Dog and a Haitain ice-cream vendor that only spoke French, and a little girl that read prolifically. A whole book could be written about this, but I leave it to the viewer to study on his/her own.It was a good film, but like Scotch, Jarmusch is an acquired taste, and must be viewed repeatedly to appreciate.
The "Ghost" of Jim Jarmusch
posted on 03 Dec 2008Anyone who cares about the way movies are made, what it takes to make the magic happen, has to admire writer/director Jim Jarmusch. A pioneer and one of the driving forces within the new wave of independent filmmakers since the early ‘80s, he's an artist who is not afraid to take a chance and is constantly exploring new terrain. When it comes to the arts, however, that adventurous spirit can also be a double-edged sword, and as another great artist, writer Ray Bradbury, will tell you, not every idea works; occasionally, what is created in the mind simply does not translate to the written page, nor to film, and for any number of reasons. Which is seemingly the case with `Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai,' written and directed by Jarmusch, the premise of which is powerful and engaging, but which simply does not materialize on the screen.Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) is a hit man for the mob, loyal to and working directly for a man named Louie (John Tormey), who had befriended him some years earlier at a critical juncture in Ghost Dog's life. Now, however, circumstances have changed, and the mob bosses want Ghost Dog removed.
Permanently. They are about to discover, though, that getting rid of Ghost Dog will be no easy task, as he lives a reclusive existence and follows the code of the ancient Samurai warriors. And one of the tenets of that code prescribes viewing life as a dream, which is exactly the way Ghost Dog lives his life. And this is `his' dream; and to effect their goal, the mob will have to negotiate Ghost Dog's terrain on his terms. He may be only one man, but as they are about to learn, this one man is a formidable opponent.Jarmusch has crafted and delivered a film that is part philosophical character study, part action/drama, that comes across much as if Ingmar Bergman had directed `Goodfellas.' And actually, the philosophical ruminations and Ghost Dog's meditations work fairly well, presented as they are in ethereal terms that tend to be wistful and transporting in themselves. In retrospect, what really does in Jarmusch and his efforts here is very simply a case of-- except for Whitaker-- extraordinarily bad acting. The members of his `mob' are incredibly ineffective and unconvincing; what Jarmusch badly needed was a Pesci, a Joe Viterelli or even a Mike Starr to give some substance to his gang. Unfortunately, he was stuck with the `B' team, and not even the brief presence of Henry Silva (as Ray Vargo) is enough to salvage much good from the results. And it's a shame, because Jarmusch does have his moments here, and there is a powerful film hidden within, desperately attempting to break through. But in the end, it never does, and the promise Jarmusch tenders remains uncharacteristically unfulfilled.The saving grace of the project is the performance by Forest Whitaker, who successfully immerses himself in the role of Ghost Dog and creates a believable, convincing character. With an introspective approach, he credibly attains that level of detachment that defines the code by which Ghost Dog lives, that sense of living life as if it's a dream, which ultimately enables him to play it all out as a character of his own design and within the parameters of his own reality, which is far removed from that of the rest of the world and those who dwell within it. Purely as a character study, in fact, this film is riveting at times, and can be thoroughly intriguing. And for that, Jarmusch, of course, deserves credit; it's Whitaker's work, however, that brings it to fruition.The only other performance of note is turned in by Isaach De Bankole as Ghost Dog's friend, Raymond. The fact that Raymond speaks and understands only French makes for some of the most engaging moments in the film, in fact, since Ghost Dog neither speaks nor understands French, but only English. It's a novel touch that is so Jarmusch; and it's an indication of what this film could have been had Jarmusch moved more in that direction rather than toward the more questionable path upon which he ended up.The supporting cast includes Camille Winbush (Pearline), Cliff Gorman (Sonny), Frank Minucci (Big Angie), Richard Portnow (Handsome Frank) and Tricia Vessey (Louise). In any given medium, the true artist dances to his own drum, and that defines Jim Jarmusch. Independent film, especially, and the cinema in general, owes a debt of gratitude to his inventiveness and creative vision, to that kind of spirit of which he is imbued, that has taken film to a higher level. `Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai' may not be his most memorable film, and is far from his greatest accomplishment, but it does demonstrate that Jim Jarmusch is alive and well as he continues to seek out new cinematic territory. And even in this film there can be found a magic that is all it's own; and in the final analysis, it's all a part of what makes up the magic of the movies. I rate this one 5/10.
Very Good, but not Jarmusch's best
posted on 27 Nov 2008Ghost Dog is a very well-made film. For most directors, it would be their best work, but given Jarmusch's past endeavors, this one falls a bit short- the movie as a whole drags on a bit too long, many scenes are predictable, and he probably could have picked better passages from the Teachings of the Samurai to correlate to the story. Overall, though, it is definitely worth checking out!
Entertaining and interesting.
posted on 21 Nov 2008I found this movie to be engaging. I was interested in the characters from the start of the movie. I liked the look and feel of this movie. I enjoyed the acting of Forrest Whitaker. This is another film by Jim Jarmesh that I have found to be a worthwhile view.I will rate this movie 8 out of 10. A solid, entertaining movie.
Ghost Dog loses his way.
posted on 17 Nov 2008Ghost Dog tries very hard to be an artsy action movie with a compelling soundtrack. Sadly, it meanders through too long with little point, and subjects filmgoers to at least 4 gruelling "musical driving scenes" where the main character steals a car and wanders the town to hip-hop music. There isn't a lot here other than fluff, and in the scenes where the director tries to get artsy with the camera work (a samuari sword sequence on top of a building comes to mind) it just falls flat and looks silly.This is not an awful movie, but unless you really have a strong reason to see it, I'd suggest staying away.
Quite possibly one of the worst movies of all time.
posted on 01 Nov 2008There are lots of things I love in this movie. I love gangster flicks. I love samurais. I love Forrest Whittaker. I love the Wu-Tang Clan. An amalgam of all these things should be a wonderful thing. Except its not. The plot is paper thin and full of holes. The parts that were supposed to be deep and philosophical totally missed the mark. The narration was weak. The fact that Forest Whittaker is a 250+ pound man who plays an assassin who lives in a shack and practices martial arts (if those moves we saw him do can even be called that) every day was only the tip of the iceberg for ridiculousness. He'd be down to a buck-75 just on starvation alone. The only halfway entertaining parts where the interactions between Ghost Dog and his best friend. Unless you like watching movies that make you want to tear your hair out, avoid this at all costs. I actually had to apologize to my wife for making us watch this. Plain terrible.
Weird, but truly genuine!
posted on 13 Jul 2009WOW! This film is weird BUT I LIKE IT! It's original!! This is a hip-hop gangster samurai flic who's best friend is a Haitian that speaks no English (yet somehow they manage to talk to each other and understand each other).
Forest is the samurai, who is an excellent assasin, smooth without a trace, just like a ghost. He works for a mafia guy who saved his life at a young age. Ghost Dog, is a good killer but his 'retainer' has been told by his bosses that Ghost Dog must be killed or face the consequences. So it is up to 'Ghost Dog' to save his skin, protect his retainer, and somehow keep his honor. Ghost Dog is such a unique character, who seems to be from two different centuries. He packs silencers and high tech car-jacking equipment - then asks to be paid on the first day of autumn, and contacts his boss only by carrier pigeons. The pigeons lead to hillarious scenes where the mafia go around to several roof tops where pigeons travel and end up whacking the wrong people (since they don't know what 'Ghost Dog' looks like). Also this film has the BEST assasination scene I have ever seen in any movie ever. That was neat (if you've seen the film then you know what I am talking about). The movie is a little slow, and lengthy, but it is neat and Whitaker's character is just too original and memorable to forget.Rating 7 out of 10.