CinemaClock Victoria

The Last Samurai is an epic tale which promises to be a classic. For some reason, a lot of critics are not taking this movie seriously or are dismissing it as not being historically accurate. Most movies depict history inaccurately and are still up for nomination. Not recommending The Last Samurai for something as insignificant as that is childish. Tom Cruise is a very good actor, having proven this in Born On The Fourth Of July and Magnolia. He also knows that he is not a great actor and has overcome this by giving a convincing static performance a la Eyes Wide Shut and in this movie as well. Cruise should not be nominated for a best actor award. But he should be complimented for giving the best performance he could have possibly given and for not trying to compensate by overacting. This is very important in this movie and allows it to unfold steadily without Cruise trying to steal the spotlight. The story is not complex at all. As a matter of fact, all formulas are followed quite exasperatingly. But it works. The cinematography is superb here as are some special effects. But the most interesting part of the movie is its tranquility. We see that goodness and its kharma come with patience and honour. Without honour there is no soul. These are as basic in the movie's Japan as they are in today's Japan and in most Buddhist circles. As well, there is no black and white here, just reality. By the end of the movie, most people we thought of as good have become bad and vice versa. The gray area is thus explored here and it is within this realm that the movie becomes a classic. There are many scenes and special moments that show us the reality of human nature and how modernism has obscured it and how capitalism has made it unimportant. The Samurai culture, in its basic essence, is quite fairly depicted. And its comparison to Native Indian culture is also well-merited. So what is this movie about? Certainly not about war. Rather, it is about the sad end of a thriving culture that was well ahead of the one that destroyed it. Although the Samurai no longer exist, their culture is the best example of how people try to live better lives these days through meditation, good diets, exercise, work habits, etc. It was all there. In closing, this is not supposed to be a history lesson. It is supposed to be a lesson, or rather just a story, on morality. I highly recommend this film for all to see.

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