Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Andy Garcia’s performance in gruesome ’80s crime thriller impressed Taylor Sheridan so much so that he chose it for “Landman”. This shows that no matter how bad some of his projects are sometimes, Garcia can still deliver the goods and make a good impression on viewers. However, the actor also made entertaining crime films during the era, with Ridley Scott’s 1989 thriller “Black Rain” being particularly notable.
“Black Rain” is an out-of-water detective story in which Garcia and Michael Douglas play two New York City detectives drawn into the Japanese criminal world. Basically, they’re tasked with escorting a Yakuza member from the United States to Japan, but their mission goes awry after the criminal escapes en route to Osaka, forcing our heroes to mete out justice in a world they don’t understand.
“Black Rain” is not often ranked among the upper echelon of Scott’s filmographybut that’s only because classics like “Alien,” “Blade Runner,” “Gladiator,” “Thelma & Louise” and “Black Hawk Down” eclipse it. Either way, “Landman” fans will be looking to “Black Rain,” even though the two projects see Garcia playing completely different types of characters. With that in mind, let’s explore the wonders of Scott’s overlooked ’80s crime thriller.
Black Rain and Landman are different, but they share some key characteristics
“Black Rain” and “Landman” are totally different in many ways. Taylor Sheridan’s oil drama is a sun-baked neo-western set in the heart of Texas, while Ridley Scott’s thriller is an atmospheric neo-noir with Far Eastern flavors. However, both projects are led by morally complex heroes full of machismo, so fans of “Landman” – or any other Taylor Sheridan Series for that matter – should benefit from the harsh sensibilities of “Black Rain.”
Additionally, both projects are heavily rooted in the world of organized crime. “Landman” is ostensibly an oil drama, but it is also a cartel story in which Andy Garcia’s character is the main protagonist. It’s a stark contrast to the detective he plays in “Black Rain,” but both roles still showcase Garcia’s charismatic composure and natural affinity for starring in crime dramas.
“Black Rain” deserves a re-evaluation, as it truly is an underrated gem with plenty of style and excellent performances from Garcia and Michael Douglas. Hopefully, Garcia’s success in “Landman” will inspire more viewers to delve into the forgotten corners of his filmography and discover it, even if it’s just to see the “Landman” star perform a standout musical number.
