The film Rising Sun is a crime thriller directed by Philip Kaufman and released in 1993. It is based on a novel of the same name by Michael Crichton. The movie follows the investigation of a murder of a young woman named Cheryl Lynn Austin, who is found dead in the boardroom of Nakamoto Corporation’s headquarters in Los Angeles. John Connor, a veteran cop with experience in the Japanese underworld, and Web Smith, a rookie detective, are assigned to the case.
As they delve into the investigation, they discover that the primary suspect is the company’s vice president, Yoshida-san, who was seen with the victim on the night of her death. However, the evidence against Yoshida-san is circumstantial, and they are unable to pin him down for the murder. Meanwhile, the detectives also face resistance from Nakamoto Corporation’s officials, who are not forthcoming with information and try to limit the detectives’ access.
With the help of a tech-savvy insider named Jingo, Conner and Web uncover a security video recording that shows the murder taking place. However, they soon realize that the footage has been tampered with, and they suspect that the real killer is still out there. As they dig deeper, they unravel a web of corporate corruption, racism, and deceit.
One of the key themes of Rising Sun is the clash of cultures between the Japanese and American characters. The movie explores how the two cultures differ in their social norms, communication styles, and values, which creates tension and mistrust between the characters.
The film features prominent actors, including Sean Connery as John Conner, Wesley Snipes as Web Smith, and Harvey Keitel as Lt. Tom Graham. Rising Sun was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $107 million worldwide. However, it also attracted some controversy for its portrayal of Japanese culture and the perceived negative stereotypes of Japanese business practices.