Multilayered

Rating: 9/10 (29 May 2010)

On its simplest level, The Last Samurai is a straightforward story, well told, of a damaged man trapped by circumstances in a culture clash which changes him profoundly.
But this is just one of many layers. There is the political story of late 19th century Japan, still essentially feudal in nature, beginning to interact with the western world. There is Cruise's voyage of discovery and redemption, but there are also the stories of Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) and Taka (Koyuki). There is the story of culture clash - explored in Shogun, and still fascinating here. There is the spectacle of battle.
And all this is told wonderfully visually, with excellent performances from all concerned - the performance of the nervous Japanese soldier being told by Cruise to shoot him is as well measured as Cruise's own. The film looks good, is gripping throughout, well paced, and moving.
One of the best films of its time.