Review of The Last Samurai (2003) by Filipeneto — 12 Feb 2018

A clash of changing cultures.

This film is set in the late nineteenth century and tells the journey of Nathan Algren, a veteran of the wars against the Native American Indians, to Japan, where he will collaborate in the training of the armies of the Emperor who want to modernize his army in Western patterns. But he will eventually know his opponent, the samurai leader Katsumoto, whom Algren begins to wonder.

The opening of the Eastern countries to the West was not easy. China and Japan were two imperial countries with ancient cultures and a special attachment to their traditions, so regarded Westerners with some disdain. What they haven't: advanced military technology. Using the "diplomacy of the cannon" and the Opium Wars, the two countries were coerced to trade with western countries (curiously, they already did it, with Portuguese and Dutch, since the seventeenth century, but they refused to open totally to the outside world). When they did it there was a great clash of cultures: if some were displeased, other loved the westerners. This was the case of Emperor Meiji of Japan and this is the historical context in which the film is set.

Directed by Edward Zwick (who got here one of the biggest hits of his career to date), the movie features Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe in lead roles (Algren and Katsumoto, respectively). The two main actors, like the rest of the cast, we can only speak well. Cruise and Watanabe got on well and this was reflected in the way they interact each other. The way both embody the characters was also excellent and we must notice that we're talking about characters with a strong psychological and dramatic load. Katsumoto is an embittered man, considered a traitor by those who only wish to serve in the best way and aware that day will come that he will die without knowing if will be understood. Algren is a man who lives haunted by his own military past, feeling that made mistakes and helped an unjust war against innocent people. Only in Japan he will recover from this depressed state thanks to the bravery and nobility of the samurai. The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer is iconic. The visual and special effects, particularly in combat scenes, are beyond reproach. The costumes were made with all the details and the traditional samurai armor are worthy of special note.

For all these positive aspects this film was acclaimed by critics and a successful box office, receiving four nominations for the Oscar (supporting actor, art direction, costume design and sound mixing) and three for the Golden Globes (best dramatic actor, best dramatic supporting actor, best original soundtrack). Its a film that deserves to be seen by all who appreciate the oriental culture, the history or just want to see a good movie.