Review of Love and Honor (2006) by Kevin R — 11 Jul 2009

Life lies in resolve for death.

Shinnojo is a high level samurai who has been bestowed with the honor of food tasting for the emperor. One inauspicious day, while food tasting, he eats poison and comes down with a mysterious illness that causes him to go blind. Shinnojo initially plans to kill himself; however, his wife, Kayo, talks him out of it. Kayo will be forced to go through drastic measures to keep their way of life the same. Her new responsibilities threaten her relationship with her husband.

?How can you say that? I can?t imagine life without you.?

Yoji Yamada, director of Twilight Samurai, Hidden Blade, Kabei: Our Mother, and Younger Brother, delivers Love and Honor. The storyline for this picture is dramatic and compelling. The character development is stunning and the ultimate conclusion is breathtaking. The soundtrack is perfectly selected and the settings are gripping. The acting by Takuya Kimura (Hero and 2046) and Rei Dan (Kabei: Our Mother) was first rate.

?If you were thinking of killing me, I?d know.?

I adored both Twilight Samurai and The Hidden Blade and I have been trying to see this film and Kabei: Our Mother since I first heard of them. Yamada does a wonderful job of writing deep storylines and creating fantastic characters. Yamada has quickly become one of my all time favorite directors. I strongly recommend seeing all of the above pictures.

?When I wake up the world goes dark.?

Grade: A.