"I come to this place of my ancestors and I remember. Like this blossoms we are all dying. To know life in every breath, every cup of tea, every life we take. The way of the warrior. That is Bushido".
It may seem strange that a woman is writing a review on the film about samurais and warriors. However, if you look closer, there are a number of reasons for that. First, it is Tom Cruise starring, of course. Having seen almost all his films, I have something to say about all of them. This one is not an exception. Moreover, this film shows people with strong spirit that women usually lack. It also describes historical events and makes you consider some philosophic questions as well.
General Information
Director: Edward Zwick
Writers: John Logan (story), John Logan (screenplay)
Cast
Ken Watanabe... Katsumoto
Tom Cruise...Nathan Algren
William Athertoni ... Winchester Rep
Chad Lindberg ... Rep Assistant
Ray Godshall Sr... Convention Hall Attendee
Billy Connolly ... Zebulon Gant
Koyuki...Taka
Shin Koyamada ...Nobutada
Genres: Action | Drama | History | War
Country: USA | New Zealand | Japan
Language: English | Japanese
Budget: $140 000 000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend: $2 630 243 (Japan) (5 December 2003)
Production Co: Warner Bros., Bedford Falls Company, The Cruise/Wagner
Soundtracks: Kagura-No-Netori, Performed by Tokyo Gakuso
Historical Background
70s years of the 19th century. Japan stops its multiyear isolation and establishes contact with the West. However, the courtiers of the Emperor of the Country of the Rising Sun have different attitude to the happening events and changes. Some of them understand the necessity of adopting the achievements of the West so that Japan would be able to occupy a good place in the modern world. Others use the newly appeared technology for their benefit and profit. But there is also the third category of people who cannot accept the changes at all, thinking that they would destroy the traditional pattern of life, which has been maintained for centuries. Exactly in this period, the events of the film take place.
The Plot and Main Characters
The Last Samurai tells the story about Nathan Algren, an American who came to Japan in order to teach soldiery to the Emperor soldiers. He gets in the captivity of the revolting samurais under the leadership of Katsumoto. This film shows us another Tom Cruise, not the one you can see in Mission Impossible or the War of the Worlds. In the Last Samurai, Cruise felt his character very well. This is a former captain of the American army, who took part in the war operation against the Indians. At the very beginning we see him as a degraded man hating himself for participating in this operation. Algren can only fight and kill, and when there is no one to kill, he goes to drink whiskey, dreaming about death. Perhaps, he would continue such life unless the destiny did not lead him to the samurai.
Consequently, Algren gets acquainted with a completely new world. It is the world of people who have been for centuries on the watch of their motherland and devoted their whole life to protecting of their folk. These are people who are patient, self-disciplined, and aimed at reaching self-perfection. They can not only, but also think a lot. This is this world that made Algren change his viewpoint on life and choose another way, the way of the samurai.
Samurai
All samurais are very interesting. First of all, Katsumoto is an experienced and wise warrior who is totally devoted to Japan and treats their revolt as a way of serving his motherland. Though Katsumoto understands that his time will be soon due, he cannot accept that the Emperor, whom he earlier taught and has to protect, is under the influence of the advisors who care about their own benefit ratrher than that of the country. Ken Watanabe played the role of Katsumoto, and his acting was as brilliant as that of Tom Cruise playing the role of Algren.
Other samurais turned out to be not worse, but the same bright: courageous and fearless Ujio, brave Nobutada, the son of Katsumoto and silent warrior, who accompanied Algren everywhere. Another memorable character is Taka, the sister of Katsumoto who fell in love with Nathan. The relationship between these actors is also very interestingly shown. They are not explicit, but rather hidden under the mask of politeness and restraint. Only having a close look can show you how strong and deep they are in reality.
Fighting Scenes
Battle scenes are amazing. However, they might make you feel a bit nervous, but at the same time think a bit. I still recollect the moment of the attack on samurai village. Other catchy scenes include battles between samurai and the Emperor army, especially the last horse attack. When watching these scenes, I understood that none of them was right or wrong. In fact, both samurai and the Emperor army were fighting for their country. But, as it often happens during the civil war, fighting for different purposes and principles leads to numerous deaths of courageous and worthy people who could bring more benefit being alive.
I would recommend watching the film in Blu-ray only those who like films about wars because, you will see armies running on you, horses falling on you etc. It may make you feel nervous at times, especially if you are an emotional person, as I am. But feeling yourself on the battle field is a deserving thing.
Philosophy
As I have already mentioned, the film is pushing you to analyze some philosophical issues. In particular, the end of the film is a good food for reflection. Who is the last samurai? Is it Algren, who perceived the ideals of samurai, or Katsumoto, who devoted his all life to these ideals? As for me, I could not give a final answer to this question.
Disadvantage
The only disadvantage of the Last Samurai, to my mind, is the excessive denigration of Omura, Japanese minister who was the main opponent of Katsumoto. I suppose, it would be more interesting to see this man not as a timid dealer, but as a man who thinks about the destiny of his nation not less than Katsumoto did. Omura understood the necessary of modernisation of the country in all spheres. But since the film was created to fit various categories of audience, the creators might have needed the image of the main miscreant.
Price & Availability
The price of the Blu-ray disk is about £8. I would recommend you to purchase it on Amazon for £ 7.98.
Interesting Fact
Tom Cruise nearly lost his head during the shooting of one episode. His colleague, Hiroyuki Sanada, had to stop the sward in a centimetre before Cruise's head. According to the Japanese actor, he was making a movement towards Tom's head when the latter was on the mechanic pedestal, but there was some technical failure that did not let Tom dodge a blow. Fortunately, in a split second, Hiroyuki managed to lead his fatal hit in a side.
Conclusion
The Last Samurai tells about the mixture of completely different cultures and civilizations, about the collision and interweaving of old and new, about the issues of courage, honour, and the place of a man in life. Sometimes you can be anxious, and sometimes feel calm as if you are meditating, like the heroes of the film.
"- Tell me how he died.
- I will tell you how he lived".
This review can be also found on Ciao under my nickname AliceBond.
No comments:
Post a Comment