Twilight Samurai

Okay, now this is weird. As you know, I've been watching a lot of Jane Austen flicks, and I've been cataloging their qualities here for you. I would never have expected to walk into this film and find myself thinking I was watching a Japanese Jane Austen. It's a samurai flick, for heaven's sake! Except that it isn't. It's more aptly labeled a period film. The main character, a masterless samurai of very little note, is widowed with two small children and a senile mother. A divorced childhood friend returns and they renew their friendship, albeit formally. Yes, you see the sword skills of the samurai, but there are only two fight scenes in the entire film. The weight of the film is on the customs and mores of the not-peasant, yet not-wealthy, samurai class. Caring for his children, worrying about making enough money, fighting his feelings for the childhood friend -- you see why I was thinking this was an Austen! Director Yoji Yamada is known for his comedic films (this is his first samurai-style film), and this is obvious in small ways throughout. My favorite is probably the reaction of the great-uncle to his senile sister, even though it is undoubtedly cruel. Acting is impeccable -- Hiroyuki Sanaba as the main character had a small role in The Last Samurai, even though he is one of the more talented, well- known actors in Japan. Cinematography is also interesting. Very darkly lit to mirror the title and mood of the film. I would recommend this as an alternate alternative to your basic samurai film (the other alternate is Zatôichi, also not your basic samurai film but in a completely different way).

original title: Tasogare Seibei
year: 2002
length: 129 min.
rating: 3.
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351817/combined