This film fits in nicely with Yamada's other two films in this series, Twilight Samurai and The Hidden Blade, both good movies. The storyline in this film is not that original but Yamada and actor Kimura do a very good job in telling the story. The ending is straight out of a Zatoichi flick but the sword fight scene is performed superbly and I think realistically, much more believable than any Zatoichi sword fight by a blind man. Gee, what a surprise, Takuya Kimura is a former member of the pop group SMAP. It seems every samurai flick and taiga drama these days includes a present or former member of SMAP. But in reality the SMAP members including Kimura actually put on pretty good performances in their samurai roles. Kimura plays his blind character convincingly. Actress Rei Dan also does a good job as the wife. Mimura's loyal assistant Tokuhei adds a bit of humor and personality to this film. Tokuhei is played by one of my favorite Japanese actors Takashi Sasano who has been in dozens of films and TV shows including Departures and Katen no Shiro.
There is no sword action in this film at all until the end of the film and even then it lasts only about a minute or two so if that is what you are looking for this film is not for you. But it is still a good sword fight scene nonetheless. If you watched Twilight Samurai and The Hidden Blade and enjoyed them then you will probably like this film as well. I certainly enjoyed this film as I also did Yamada's other films in this series so I give this 2006 film my recommendation. (2 hours, 2006)
An enjoyable movie.
ReplyDeleteThe big difference here is the inner story - the blindness is a metaphor (IMO) for the final blow to the Samurai class in Japan. Here the protagonist is presented as helpless, seemingly ineffectual - almost a thing of pity - yet he must rise above this and show the strength within. But ultimately he accepts this new truth.
At one point he bemoans how the inflexible system of sword-fighting schools must change... where people should be taught against their individual strengths and weaknesses. This is a sign of the growing realisation that the stagnation that had impacted with such force on the Samurai class...
At the end of the day - it's a love story, showing the strength (and sacrifice) of both a womans love for her man, and the acceptance of a the limits of a mans pride in his own world view.
A great movie... even if somewhat subdued in it's message.
Excellent analysis thank you. Yes, I can see the metaphors in the film which I did not realize at the time I was watching it. Makes the film even more impressive.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on the swordsmanship. I had once asked Obata Kaiso (Shinkendo)about Zatoichi moves and he told me such moves were not possible in real conflict. This film is far more realistic.
ReplyDeleteYes and after I watched my first Zatoichi film I was kind of turned off by the absurdity of the concept of the blind swordsman and the fight scenes. But I gave it a second chance and continued watching the Zatoichi flicks. Although I still think the blind swordsman idea is silly, they are actually very entertaining films and of course Shintaro Katsu is great and makes the films humorous.
ReplyDeleteWe just watched this movie. Very stirring tale and told well. The transition from the Meiji era to the modern is done deftly with respect and love.
ReplyDeleteThe daughters telling of the story and her appearance at the end is both sad and happy.
I had forgotten about this film Tony but you refreshed my memory. I think it was a very good film and I should watch it again. The ending was impressive in my opinion.
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