Rarely can films make any influence on our lives and change our attitudes and opinions. We are "bombarded" with mainstream Hollywood production which consists mainly of sequels, prequels and remakes of previous box office successes. It seems that world is full of superheroes who save the world at least twice a week. With some rare exceptions, such as Terrence Mallick (Thin Red Line), Michael Mann (Heat), Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia) and Brian De Palma (Carlito's Way) there are no authors in recent US production, who can scratch the surface and go really deep with exploration of human soul. However, in other parts of the world films appear from time to time, that possess such credibility that are able to shake our hearts and minds and force us to reassess our moral values and priorities in life. This is one of such films. What to say after seeing such a masterpiece. An ordinary viewer, used to usual parade of attractions and special effects attacking all his senses (but leaving his soul untouched) is probably in a small shock, after realizing, at the beginning of this film, that director (Yoji Yamada) neither will nor has any intention to indulge viewers with low taste and turn this melancholic and philosophic film into a superficial action-packed soap opera. Instead of superhero warrior, we can see Seibei Iguchi, widower, low-class samurai with even lower income, in a struggle to ensure existence to his two daughters and senile mother. And when his graceful female friend from childhood comes and viewers expect light at the end of a tunnel for Seibei, he rejects her without explanation, although he has strong feelings for her. Actually, he thinks that with his low income he can not offer to her quality of life that she deserves. As film progresses to its end, we realize that he is not a pathetic loser as he might look from the viewpoint of the Westerner but a real hero. Exposed to the twists of fate, finding out that life is not a rose garden, he embraces what destiny brings to him with fatalistic patience (influence of Zen Buddhism is obvious) knowing that there is only one thing that he can not afford to lose: his honour. Led by "starry sky above me and moral law within me" Seibei (Hiroyuki Sanada) is a "larger than life" character, not because he is supernaturally strong, brave or perfect, but because he is not and yet he sets for himself so high standards that few men would be able to achieve. He has his doubts and yet he does what a man has to do. We feel that such people with high moral standards, although rare, do exist among us, even in these modern times when virtue seems to be just a burden, and that fact gives us hope.
Yamada's direction is subtle and brilliant, as well as acting, camera-work and music. Film is full of memorable scenes. Modesty, patience, honour, for many of us have become just meaningless words, unfortunately completely detached from real life. See this film if you want to find out about their real meaning.
Yamada's direction is subtle and brilliant, as well as acting, camera-work and music. Film is full of memorable scenes. Modesty, patience, honour, for many of us have become just meaningless words, unfortunately completely detached from real life. See this film if you want to find out about their real meaning.