Drunken Angel (1948)

Set against the backdrop of post-war Tokyo, the story of "Drunken Angel" unravels in the grim, gritty underworld governed by the ruthless Yakuza. Matsunaga, a young and brash gangster, is forced to seek the aid of the hard-drinking Doctor Sanada to remove a bullet lodged in his hand. In this unlikely encounter, the doctor discovers Matsunaga's deadly enemy - tuberculosis, far more lethal than any rival gang member. Despite their contentious relationship, Matsunaga heeds Doctor Sanada's warnings, momentarily abandoning his reckless lifestyle of drinking and smoking. The equilibrium ruptures with the return of Okada, Matsunaga's former boss, freshly released from prison and eager to reclaim his throne in the underworld. Under Okada's influence, Matsunaga reverts to his old habits, disregarding his precarious health. The narrative takes a tense turn as Okada threatens the safety of Doctor Sanada and his compassionate nurse, Miyo. In a desperate attempt to protect them, Matsunaga invokes the Yakuza's code of honor, only to realize his diminished status in the underworld he once controlled. "Drunken Angel" spirals towards a life-or-death confrontation between Matsunaga and his former boss, blending the harsh realities of post-war Japan with the complexities of honor, friendship, and survival. This gripping tale of redemption and downfall is a vivid exploration of human resilience in the face of adversity.

Drunken Angel is a drama movie featuring Takashi Shimura and directed by Akira Kurosawa.

Drunken Angel is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Plex and Plex Player and it's also available on Criterion Channel.