Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen

Prolific Japanese auteur/icon Takeshi Kitano's latest sees him switch beats from action back to comedy, with this droll farce about a group of elderly, retired Yakuza who reteam to take revenge on a younger rival gang after their leader Ryuzo (veteran star Tatsuya Fuji, In the Realm of the Senses) is duped by a phone scam. Though still legends in their own minds, these aging tough guys have to contend as much with their own physical and mental frailties as their adversaries' strength; indeed, as much time is spent boastfully comparing former glories – 'you can't take credit for those murders committed by your henchmen!' one grumbles – as current vendettas. (London Film Festival)