Nominated for an Academy Award and sweeping the board at the Japanese equivalent of 'The Oscars', Yoji Yamada's lyrically, tenderly woven tale of dignity is a triumph of substance over action. Yamada has taken the principles of the classic chanbara narrative and mixed it beautifully with the story by Shuuhei Fujisawa while also drawing on the style of the Hollywood Western. Such a blend as been used before, but rarely is an audience treated to such a confident handling of such diversely thematic material.

It's easy to compare the character of Seibei Iguchi to the archetypal stoic hero of the classic Westerns, keen as he is no to fight or cause disturbance. However, the characterisation is far deeper and more involving than such a simple comparison would indicate. Seibei is primarily a family man, a proud father who works endlessly to provide for his beloved daughters while also caring for his elderly mother. The kind of issues his character is forced to deal with - i.e. bereavement, providing for his family - are far more resonant to the 21st century viewer than the standard samurai stereotype. While Seibei's colleagues look to material things and ambitions to bring them happiness, the taciturn hero is focused purely on his family and how he can provide them with emotional support. It's truly endearing to see such a character painted with the kind of subtle dignity he richly deserves.

Yamada can be applauded for generating an atmosphere of warmth for the homely hero. The viewer is given ample opportunity to see Seibei interract with his daughters, therefore helping the obvious bond between them and the sacrifices the father needs to make ultimately sympathetic. Although Yamada's direction does verge on the ponderous in some scenes - especially the middle section of the narrative - it is nevertheless a key feature in 'The Twilight Samurai's enviable plaudits. The casting of Japanese action cinema legend Hiroyuki Sanada is certainly worthy of mention as he makes Seibei Iguchi a character that the audience not only believes in, but also can relate to on some level. With eyes humbly focused on the ground and his demeanour appearing almost apologetic, Sanada gives subtle indications of his hidden depths and gentle nature.

Naturally Sanada is the star who has perhaps garnered the most attention for the film, but the supporting players are vital to the confident nature of the production. Miyazawa is excellent as Tomoe and scene where she meets Seibei before his closing duel is a massice credit to both performers. Tomoe comes across as a loving potential wife for Seibei and Yamada makes this whole story thread fully engrossing. This subtle romance is the kind of delicate statement that Eastern cinema does so well - all Western film-makers should pay attention to how beautifully this is handled.

'The Twilight Samurai' is a film that richly deserves the critical response it has received. Recalling the meticulous control that Kurosawa displayed in his accomplished work, Yamada creates a work that will appeal to a number of people who may not have usually been attracted to the genre. True, the pacing does miss a step in certain sections of the film and the final voice-over may seem sightly unnecessary, but this is a production that has been made with much care and attention. The result is a 21st century samurai film that is mature while never lauding its superiority over the audience. With a welcome lack of pretension but a refreshing inclusion of humanity, 'The Twilight Samurai' is highly recommended.

The story begins with the introduction of Seibei by his young daughter, who is recounting his story as an old woman via flashback. Seibei is a samurai of the Unasaka clan, albeit a low-ranking one. He is employed as a clerk, keeping records of the clan's fish supplies and other holdings. His co-workers often make fun of him: he is unkempt, unclean, somewhat smelly, and never socializes with them at night. They mockingly call him the "Twilight Samurai", as he always rushes home at the end of the day to be with his family. Seibei's wife has recently died of consumption, and he was left with two young daughters, a senile elderly mother who can barely remember him, and a mountain of debt. His wife's death and resulting funeral had left the family almost destitute, so Seibei not only has to work his clerk job but also assist with the farming and cleaning. He insists that his daughter learn their lessons on reading and writing in order to "open up the world" to them.

One afternoon at work, an inspection by the Lord of the clan brings disgrace to the family. While inspecting the stores, the Lord notices that Seibei's kimono is torn and that he reeks of fish. The Lord criticizes Seibei and reprimands him, bringing shame to Seibei and incurring the wrath of his wealthy Uncle. His uncle warns him to remarry a wife with "big haunches" who can bear him children and take care of his household, but Seibei refuses to marry out of convenience. Things change when his childhood love, Miss Tomoe, divorces her abusive husband and comes to work in Seibei's household. Yet Seibei is reluctant to marry her: his lack of money affected his first marriage in a destructive way, and he's hesitant to bring Tomoe "down" in a similar manner. Seibei's indecision is further complicated when the Clan orders him to carry out a mission to track down and assassinate a rogue samurai who disregarded his own orders. Should he do what his world and society expects of him, or should he live happily and comfortably in his own skin?

The Twilight Samurai is a beautiful-looking film, soft and delicate yet powerfully told and exquisitely shot. Yamada's direction and Sanada's acting are both first-rate, resulting in an engaging movie that, while a bit dragging in certain sections, remains generally compelling throughout...

...A solemn but engaging piece of work, The Twilight Samurai presents a compelling drama set within the dying embers of the Shogunate era. The film is definitely worth your time.

The divorce of his childhood friend Tomoe (Rie Miyazawa) leads him into a confrontation with her violent ex-husband, a high-ranking samurai. When word of Seibei's easy victory using only a wooden sword begins to circulate, his reputation for sword fighting prowess begins to change his colleagues' assessment of him.

However, just as Seibei begins to dream that despite his impoverishment he might win the hand of the long loved Tomoe, he is caught in the shifting turmoil of the times and is assigned, against his wishes, by his superiors to confront and kill a renowned warrior on the wrong side of a clan power struggle.

Soon though, he runs into Tomoe (Rie Miyazawa), the first girl he ever loved and a lifelong friend of his. She was formerly married to a wealthy samurai, but has left him because he was physically and mentally abusive to her. Tomoe and Seibei fall in love, but he won’t marry her because he feels he is too poor to give her a good life.

When the leader of Seibei’s clan is killed, he’s forced to face combat with a lone samurai. Despite the fact that he is less than thrilled with this idea, the code to which he still holds credence to demands he accept it.

The big winner at the Awards Of The Japanese Academy (it won in thirteen categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Director), and nominated last year for best foreign film at the Oscars, The Twilight Samurai is one of those rare films that deserves all the praise lauded upon it. Much of that credit has to go to director Yoji Yamada and cinematographer Mutsuo Naganuma, who have created such a sumptuous and gorgeous looking film that it’s almost impossible not to pay attention to. It’s a quiet film with an epic scope that makes the culmination of the events that take place in the finale all that more important because of it. Plenty of sweeping shots of the beautiful Japanese countryside are contrasted with the squalid conditions in which Seibei resides, making for an interesting visual kaleidoscope.

The performances are also great, especially the two leads. Those only familiar with Sanada’s action films from the seventies and eighties, for which he is best known at least in North America, will find much to admire about this very serious role which he handles with ease. Sure, it’s fun to watch him bust heads at the side of Sonny Chiba in films like The Executioner and Ninja Wars but here he plays his role with such care and restraint that it almost feels like he’s another person completely. Miyazawa is wonderful as Tomoe. Her plight is believable and almost too real at times.

Those expecting the relentless action and bloodshed of better known samurai films as the Lone Wolf And Cub or Lady Snowblood films, the finale is no less tense because of it. While essentially a love story, the film also plays off on the very nature of a man who will do whatever he has to in order to support his family, even if it means going against the system he is supposed to believe in.

Final Thoughts:
The Twilight Samurai is a beautifully made film that totally deserves to be seen by a wider audience. It’s very well directed with gorgeous cinematography and great performances.