1. Michael Douglas
From 1972 to 1976, American actor Michael Douglas had appeared as a detective in the TV police series The Streets of San Francisco, being nominated for a Golden Globe for his role as Steve Keller. Up to 1989, and the production of Black Rain, however Douglas had never played a cop on film. Though he had played significant leading film roles, and had been critically acclaimed in doing so. His 1987 portrayal of Gordon Gekko in Wall Street won him an Academy Award for Best Actor, whilst his role in Fatal Attraction also preceded Black Rain. With this talented acting background, he was cast in the lead role of Black Rain, and provides a worthy and memorable protagonist. His screen presence is significant, not only because of his characters western appearance in Japan, but also because brings an air of confidence and strength, and brings depth to an otherwise stereotypical American character. His character throughout shows conviction and realism, and emotionally Douglas shows the human side of Conklin that the audience can accept and relate to. We feel his anger and betrayal when Sato escapes; we share his frustration with the slowness of the Japanese police system; we feel his sorrow and desperation when Charlie Vincent is killed. But for all of the characters lows, we feel equally his highs; the thrill of the chase, the outwitting of the Yakuza, the duping of the Japanese police chief, the triumph of justice. Michael Douglas is a great actor, and has been rightly held in high esteem by critics and audiences alike. His portrayal of Nick Conklin in Black Rain is one of the highlights of his career, and showcased his diversity in acting. He is complemented by a brilliant cast, and his co-star Andy Garcia has to acknowledged fro his role as Charlie. Ken Takakura provides a fresh and interesting alternative persona to Douglas and Garcia. Perhaps the actor who should share the credit with Michael Douglas, in realising the success of the story and the film, is the Japanese actor Yusaku Matsuda, who plays the antagonist Sato. Matsuda died after the production of the film from bladder cancer, and Black Rain is dedicated to his memory. Not wanting to let the production of the film stop, Matsuda had continued to act through the film without disclosing his illness, suggesting to director Ridley Scott that this way, I shall live forever.
Conclusion
Black Rain is a brilliant piece of cinema, showcasing the talents of Ridley Scott and Michael Douglas in producing a film which, despite its 1989 production date, still holds up well. The film draws together a great cast, a powerful story and a symbolic meaning to create a thrilling and intelligent American police-drama with an unusual setting. With a complex narrative, the police-genre takes a secondary role to the overall storyline, but Black Rain still provides the themes and cues of a cop movie. Through Detective Nick Conklin, we see an imperfect cop on an imperfect case, but ultimately we see the perfect cop movie.