The Twilight Samurai

Firstly before anyone gets this assumption about this film being based as a typical Japanese action flick with swords sparking and flashing around then please look elsewhere as this is more drama based.

Since watching The Last Samurai earlier this year it's been a none stop roller-coaster ride of Japanses flicks (i.e. Dark Water, Casshern, Zatoichi, Onibaba, Kwaiden), the list goes on.

I was keeping a close eye on Hiroyuki Sanada ever since his charismatic portrayal in Ringu and have since become a huge fan of this actor and glad to see his status has further improved with his recent appearance in The Last Samurai too.

This alone demonstrates how the East is winning over it's audiences more than Americans considering the level of spirituality invested in the many actors that are up and coming unlike the types who only seem bent on cashing in on fame and overrated acting.

Tasogare Seibei (Twilight Samurai) tells the story of Seibei Iguchi (played by the great Sanada) who has recently lost his wife due to consumption, thus takes it upon himself to become a Mr. Mum to his two young daughters and sick Mother. Gradually he begins to feel somewhat detached to his duties as a Samuarai as he feels the need to devote his time more to being full-time family man rather than being a noble Warrior, who only seems to front his sword unsheathed considering he sold it to support his family. It's not too long before happiness turns up in the form of pretty young girl (Rie Miyazawa) who rekindles his joy of long lost childhood friendship but also on the run from her drunk ex-husband who's only content is bullying and assaulting her.

All I can say is that Japanese film makers have greater integrity to pulling off better stories than what Hollywood seems to be coming out with these days. With production values being second to none it's pleasing to see how more time and effort has been spent towards character development. Sanada and Miyazawa display great conviction with there behaviours, not to mention the young adorable children.

Though this is based around the same time period as what The Last Samurai was based in, Twilight Samurai seems to take on more emotional approach towards Japan's time period conversion from Edo to Meiji restoration.

Trust me if only Shakespeare had been around to see great works of art like this he'd have dropped dead with great admiration. Hats of to Yoji Yamada, great to see many old school directors making solid films even today. I have to admit that the Japanese seem to have a fondness for making many of there audiences rather weepy as this most definitely touches the heart and soul in all the right places at once.