According to the English DVD cover, "Hana-bi" (firework) is a word that entails both life and death; as 'hana' stands for flower while 'bi' stands for fire. Fittingly, images of colourful flowers and outstretched guns linger in the mind after the watching of "Hanabi", a poetic tale of how the course of life is shaped by the reality of death. Set over a beautiful score by the masterful Hisaishi Jō, the film is unexpectedly subdued and often near-silent except for sudden bursts of violence that are emphasised by their sporadic nature. Probably because he instigates this violence, the extremes of the film are embodied in Kitano's Nishi, an enigmatic character who is capable of both tenderness and brutality. However, the former quality seems to win out, as "Hanabi" is more about benevolence than it is about shootouts and chopsticks in eyes. Faced with disability and terminal illness or hounded by Yakuza, the characters do not dwell on these burdens but instead try to live out their damaged lives to the best of their abilities. And so should you.