The Hidden Blade
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Movie Reviews of The Hidden Blade
Movie Review: Excellent film!
Summary: 5 Stars
I didn't really know what to expect when I ordered this DVD. I've never watched a Japanese-made film about samurai before, or any Japanese-made film for that matter other than some anime and Godzilla movies. So, I wasn't sure if I would like this movie, particularly because I would have to read the subtitles.
But I've been interested in, and have practiced, martial arts for a long time, and was interested in seeing some films that might provide a little insight into the mindset of the samurai and their bushido code. And I wanted to see something that showed a more realistic view of the time period of the samurai than what I understood that Tom Cruise's "Last Samurai" offered.
So, after reading the reviews of this film "The Hidden Blade," I decided to give it a try. I was very pleasantly surprised. I really liked this film! It kept me engaged from beginning to end, even with having to read the subtitles!
Many of the reviews have described the plot of the movie, so I won't go through that again. But I found myself engaged by the lead character, Katagiri, and his various struggles. He struggled with his family background, he struggled with his friendships, he struggled with his love life, he struggled with his career, and he struggled with the politics of the times. All the while he seemed to be just trying to do the right things within the context of his cultural environment; trying to maintain his sense of duty and honor in an environment where there was a great sense of ambiguity about such things.
Despite coming from a radically different background than my own, I found Katagiri an easy character to relate to and empathize with; a very real character. And I think because of this, the Hidden Blade was an easy and enjoyable film for me to watch.
The film was also visually appealling and the other characters were interesting in their own ways. Each of the other characters were dealing with their own realities and problems as they intersected with Katagiri; but often in very different ways than was Katagiri and with very different results. Katagiri became caught among these various realities and problems through no fault of his own. He navigated his way through them all by following his personal sense of duty and honor, though not necessarily the same sense of duty and honor that others would have for him (thus illustrating various interpretations of the bushido mindset). His resolution of his part in all of these problems felt satisfying to me in the end.
So, for me, it was the Katagiri character that really made this film work and kept me engaged throughout. I was always wondering how he was going to handle the next difficult situation he was confronted with.
The film was interspersed with heavy drama, agonizing personal situations, a bit of comic relief from time to time, and a bit of swordplay. And the film was visually appealing with the period costumes and sets. There is some action, but the film is not an action flick. There is an enduring romance present, but the film is not really a love story. It's a period piece, but the story is not dependent upon the period in which it's told.
It's just the story of a man doing the best he can to deal with the problems that life has presented him with in an upstanding and honorable way. It's a very human film, a very real film, and all in all, it's very engaging and enjoyable. I'm glad I watched it!
Movie Review: Real Sweetness
Summary: 5 Stars
Yoji Yamada's "Twilight Samurai" was an extraordinary treat. Following in similar footsteps, "The Hidden Blade" is again a samurai tale where a lower samurai must weigh matters of principle against what is politically and financially advantageous. Shown at film festivals in Berlin & Newport Beach, the main character is Munezo Katagiri whose sister marries out of the household. Masatoshi Magase who played so romantically as the second love interest in "The Sea Is Watching" does the title role. He's very sensitive and honest, but a bit out of touch with his own emotional needs. Takako Matsu who has only made 3 films including 2006's "Suite Dreams" plays the housekeeper Kie. She works hard and lovingly takes care of Katagiri's house. Matsu's beautiful good looks and expressive face make her a charmer. Caste issues divide her from the samurai. When Kie marries, her new family abuses and fails to appreciate her. This results in her illness and rescue by Katagiri who barges into the household and rescues Kie from her own husband! Kie is nursed back to health. Meanwhile Yaichiro Hazama is from the same samurai clan and has gone to the big city of Edo where he gets caught in a plot to overthrow the Emperor. He's brought back home in a basket and imprisoned, rather than being given the dignity of hari kiri. The authorities come to Katagiri and give him the charge of dueling with Hazama, who breaks out of prison and holes up in a rural hut. The lovely Reiko Takashima plays Hazama's wife and comes to barter with the only commodity she has, her body, to try and save her husband's life. She goes to the Chief in charge (forgot his title) and makes a similar deal when Katagiri refuses her. Unfortunately, the unscrupulous Chief has no intention of freeing Hazama and fails to inform Katagiri as he has promised Mrs. Hazama he would do. Min Tanaka who played in "Twilight Samurai" is the retired martial arts instructor Toda who gave Katagiri knowledge of a special move called the Devil's Claw. Now living in a pastoral setting, he gives Katagiri a few last tips. The duel takes place with Katagiri surviving. The Chief suffers justice at Katagiri's hands with the lightning fast Devil's Claw dispatching him to the next world. Deciding to follow Toda's example, Katagiri renounces his pledge as samurai and sweetly approaches Kie who has not remarried and no longer has a caste restriction separating her from the man she obviously loves. There is a real sweetness and innocence in the story of "Hidden Blade" that shows a moral compass. The performances, direction and cinematography are first-rate. Bravo!Movie Review: Samurai Epic with an Ozu flavor
Summary: 5 Stars
Yamada Yoji has created the best example of the jidaieki (period film) since Kurosawa. He has done something unique to Japanese cinema by combining elements of the Ozuesque home drama. Also, its timeless plot should even appeal to Japanese audiences who flock to Western films. It offers a much needed change. This film has a very Eastern feel to it, in that the life of a samurai has not been glamourized. Its protrayed in a realistic way. The things that the main character, Katagiri Munezo, must endure, make a good case for the argument that perhaps one is better off just being a regular townsperson.
Throughout the film, there a several examples of classic Ozu films.
In the The Hidden Blade, Katagiri is getting older and is not married. Likewise in Ozu's Early Summer, Hara Setsuko, plays a woman past 25 who hasn't married either. Katagiri becomes a lot like Hara Setsuko's character in that both are stubborn and will get married when they want to and if they want to. Katagiri also shares common charateristics with the father figure of Ryu Chishu's various characters in Ozu films. Some of the dialouge between Katagiri and his servant Kie reminded me of similar scenes from Tokyo Story, when Ryu and his wife are talking.
What I like about this film, is the way inwhich, Yamada humanizes his samurai characters through anecdote. There is a very moving and funny scene of a little girl who is afraid of Katagiri because he carries a sword. Katagiri cannot understand why this girl is afraid and when Kie tells him, he laughs and points out that most of the time samurai never draw their swords. The life of the bureaucract. There are other comedic episodes until the plot has to become serious. That's when the best dramatic scenes come out.
The Hidden Blade is a complex story that requires you to bring you full attention to it. The closer you follow the story, the more you will see and understand. Like any great work of literature, you have to be willing to be in the work and invest your complete attention.
Overall, this is a great film that showcases Yamada Yoji as the best new Japanese director, along with my other favorite, Koreeda Hirokazu.
Movie Review: Film that goes beyond the Japanese Samurai or Martial Arts genre
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought that director Yôji Yamada could not possibly top Twilight Samurai, but I was wrong. This is a great film for even those that are not martial arts fans. The acting is great, the screenplay is excellent and believable. Director Yamada also had great cinematographers and music.
Since the story for both Twilight Samurai and Hidden Blade were written by the same author and took place in the same part of Japan, one reviewer unfairly indicated the story was a rehash of the first. Definitely, I disagree with this assessment.
I don't want to give anything away. For those that are like me, be sure to have a box of tissues handy when you see this memorable film. I rented it and was so taken by the film (even watching it twice during the same weekend), that I purchased the DVD immediately from Amazon.
Movie Review: Hidden Blade... Hidden Treasure
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow! What a delight. I picked "Hidden Blade"up from the local video store on the way home from work. It was just on a whim, based mainly upon superficialities (the cover art, the interesting title, the intriguing plot summary on the back), but am I ever glad I did.
This movie is an absolute gem, packed with engaging storylines and intricate character development. There isn't a tremendous amount of action, per se, but the few scenes demonstrate excellent technique. I was glued to the set the entire movie and was saddened when the movie came to a close at the end.
Pick this up for a wonderful human story satisfy your nostalgic longing for days of love and honor.