Man From Reno | Movie Review

Noir is often what I refer to as the most forgotten genre in film. For decades in early film culture, the ‘noir’ movie was a staple at our local cineplex. That same culture’s recent focus on whiz-bang effects and zippy editing has forced the slow-burn of classic noir to firmly take a backseat. Some might even argue it is now in the trunk. “Man from Reno” is director Dave Boyle’s attempt to thrust noir back into the modern-day limelight.

When mystery writer Aki Akahori (Ayako Fujitani) breaks away from her public life to escape for a little self-imposed sabbatical in San Francisco, she never intended to also spark up a romantic entanglement with a mysterious man from Reno, NV (Kazuki Kitamura). After he abruptly departs from her life following their brief romantic tryst, leaving behind his suitcase of course, Aki begins her own private investigation into this elusive stranger and where he might have evaded to.

At the same time, aging Sheriff Paul Del Moral (Pepe Serna) is investigating a Japanese man whom he managed to hit with his own car one foggy evening. After the man disappears from the local hospital, Sheriff Moral sets out to determine the answers to the swarming array of questions that continue to pile up in his investigation. Any film lover will deduce that Aki and the Sheriff’s paths will eventually cross, but the how might surprise you.

What makes this film stand out from other attempts at noir filmmaking is the very distinct meshing of cultures and styles. “Man from Reno” is told very honestly in relation to its characters, with Aki speaking in her native Japanese for most of her role and Sheriff Moral sticking to his very English-speaking roots. It also sticks sincerely to the various truisms and nuances respectful to each culture, even though the film occurs on US soil. This approach gives the film an intelligent flavor of tasting varying cultures by dividing our time between them.

Longtime character actor Pepe Serna breathes life into the stale role of a Sheriff on to his final ‘big case’. What has been done before begins anew in the rejuvenated eyes of an actor relishing the opportunity to enjoy the extended screen time. Fujitani is delightful as a writer with numerous secrets of her own, eager to play investigator to her own personal mystery. The actress begins the film as someone I was completely unaware of, and departs the screen as someone I absolutely need more of. Likewise, Kazuki Kitamura gives a blissfully charming performance of the titular Man, a performance so engaging that even we do not truly know his motives as the film closes its credits.

Explaining where the mystery goes would be a complete disservice to you, as the enjoyment of the film lies in watching it unravel with your own eyes. Rest assured that all of the staples of noir are ever-present: murder, mysterious henchman, red herrings, loose ends, etc. Director Boyle and his fellow writers have concocted a splendid mystery for us to endure, and how the film wraps up will take more than a few by surprise.

If you have been a fan of films like Casablanca or The Maltese Falcon, and if you can handle the idea of numerous sections of subtitled dialogue (the film is distinctly half English and half Japanese), then “Man from Reno” is right up your fog-drenched alley. For me, this is the noir film I’ve been waiting for.

Starring Pepe Serna, Ayako Fujitani, Kazuki Kitamura
Written by Dave Boyle, Joel Clark, Michael Lerman
Directed by Dave Boyle

Aaron Peterson
The Hollywood Outsider