Wasabi

28.10.2007 Wasabi (French)
Director: Gerard Krawczyk
Starring: Jean Reno, Ryoko Hirosue, Michel Muller

Hubert Fiorentini (Jean Reno) is a badass cop. After having unknowingly injured a politician’s son, he is forced to go on a vacation. He learns that the only love of his life, who left him nineteen years ago, has died in Japan leaving him as the sole legatee. So off he goes to Tokyo, only to discover that among other things, his love has left him a nineteen year daughter Yumi (Ryoko Hirosue). Hubert is supposed to look after the hot-headed, spendthrift girl for two days, until she attains majority. Things get more complicated as he realises that Miko, Yumi’s mother, has not died a natural death and that now the mafia are after Yumi for the large fortune her mother has left her with.
It’s one of those films that you need to watch keeping logic and reason aside. I mean, how come all the Japanese, right from the policemen to bankers, peak fluent French? Why do mafia guys follow Hubert and Yumi dressed conspicuously in black suits and sunglasses? How can one middle-aged guy fight off a dozen armed men with nothing but a golf rod and two balls? Well, after a moment I just stopped asking questions…
But this film is nonetheless very enjoyable. Though Jean Reno is type-cast again as the badass cop with a heart of gold, we get to see his paternal side, which is very endearing. From the dry and solitary policeman to the father who’ll risk his life for his daughter, his portrayal is exceedingly good. (I know am going OTT, but what to do, I like that guy) And then there are those funny action sequences, especially the one in the mall, where Reno beats up all the mafia guys without Yumi finding out.
Ryoko Hirosue is irritating at first but you end up liking her eventually. She speaks French with a charming Japanese accent. Michel Muller is the humorous sidekick. He’s done a great job.
Wasabi isn’t one of the best comedies I’ve seen. But nevertheless, it’s good for a one-time watch.