Asakusa Kid is not the sprawling account of Takeshi Kitano’s life you might expect, but instead is a satisfyingly intimate, focussed view of his formative years.

A film definitely worth watching, and not only for Kitano or Japanese cinema fans, but the afterthought it leaves is definitely that of a 'what if', particularly regarding the what the material could be in the hands of a more experienced director.

Asakusa Kid makes for diverting entertainment as far as it goes, but brings down the curtain just as the real story is about to begin.

The Asakusa Kid has many entertaining moments, but falls short in its characterization of Take.