Why a French police officer travels to Japan to protect a teenage girl
In short: In the 2001 action comedy Wasabi, a tough French detective finds his life upended when he discovers he is the father of a Japanese teenager. Tasked with protecting her from the yakuza, he navigates a dangerous underworld while keeping his true identity a secret from his newfound daughter.
Directed by Gérard Krawczyk and produced by Luc Besson, Wasabi follows Hubert Fiorentini, a commissaire known for his aggressive and unconventional police tactics. After being placed on leave for a violent altercation involving the chief's son, Fiorentini receives word of the death of Miko, a Japanese spy he loved nineteen years prior. He travels to Tokyo, where he learns he has been named the guardian of Yumi, a fiery teenager who believes her father abandoned her.
The plot thickens when Fiorentini discovers that Miko was murdered after stealing a fortune from the yakuza. With the help of his former colleague Momo, who provides him with a cache of weapons, Fiorentini works to shield Yumi from the criminal organization. The film features a mix of high-stakes action and humor, including a signature scene where the protagonist consumes a large serving of wasabi without reaction, which serves as the inspiration for the film's title.
Critical reception for the film was largely divided. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 44% approval rating, while Metacritic recorded a score of 53 out of 100. Reviewer Roger Ebert awarded the production one and a half stars out of four, noting that the lead actor struggled to ground the film's erratic shifts between comedy and violence. Despite these mixed assessments, the movie achieved a worldwide gross of $10.4 million, reaching the top spot at the French box office during its second week of release.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Wasabi (film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-wasabi-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
