Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

It is mafia vs Samurai in Jarmusch's effortlessly cool, strangely innocent and altogether off-kilter guide to right and wrong.

Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) is a reclusive hit man living by a strict Samurai code. But he wasn't always this way. Rescued from a mugging by mafia-type Louie (John Tormey), Ghost Dog adopts the Samurai way and pledges complete loyalty to his rescuer. Living on a city rooftop he can only be contacted by carrier pigeon and is ruthless in carrying out his master's requests.

But like all true Samurai heroes, Ghost Dog's world is changing and the mafia are getting jumpy at his strange ways. Armed with a sixth sense, he sees the inevitable and embarks on a path to re-establish the equilibrium with the mafia.

Above all else, Jarmusch nails the small laconic moments of friendship between Ghost Dog, the local French-speaking ice cream seller Raymond and the curious young neighbourhood girl, Pearline. Alongside the lovely structure of the film, we get something surprisingly odd, wholly contemporary, very honest and deeply respectful.