Honor in Life and Death

Rating: 10/10 (11 January 2004)

In a pivotal scene in "The Last Samurai" a key character says "It's my time...". That captures Bushido (The Way of the Samurai) in Edward Zwick and Tom Cruise's "The Last Samurai": About honor and choosing the path of one's life. Rarely has a major motion picture done so, in such a moving and inspiring way. Edward Zwick directs a wonderful screenplay by John Logan, Zwick, and Marshall Herskovitz. Zwick masterfully weaves a story about a culture, Bushido that values honor, courage, compassion, and a man's life being complete and at peace. Regarding destiny, Tom Cruise's Captain Nate Algren says "...No... But I think a man cannot know his destiny. He can only do what he can, until his destiny is revealed." Zwick balances Bushido as "Life in every breath..." with LIVING with honor. Tom Cruise gives perhaps his best performance as Nate Algren, the U.S. Captain who becomes samurai.
It is 1876, and Capt. Algren (Cruise) is a drunk, burnt out calvary war hero who is a spokesman for Winchester rifles at amusement shows. He is recruited by his former commander Col. Bagley (a very slick Tony Goldwyn) and a Japanese businessman Omura (played with great duplicity by Masato Harada) to train the Japan Emperor's Army in modern warfare to defeat the Emperor's former adviser and Sensei, Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe), who is samurai. Though Bagley betrayed Algren in the past, he accepts the post. According Algren (Cruise) killing "tribal" leaders is his only gift. Algren though broken, demonstrates the samurai spirit. Contrary to Algren's advice an unprepared Imperial Army engages Katsumoto's army, and are defeated. Algren fights valiantly, but is captured.
This is where the amazing story telling begins. Katsumoto wishes to learn about his enemy, Algren. In a strange twist of fate, he has his sister, Taka (Koyuki), care for Algren-- her "karma". There is more to this (see the movie). In Katsmoto's village Algren trains in the way of the samurai. Zwick illustrates this eloquently. He does not romanticize the samurai, rather paints a complete picture. The samurai would kill his enemy or take his own life in dishonor when commanded. Along with the rigorous martial arts training, Zwick shows the samurai meditating (Shinto and Zen), composing poetry (haiku), in tea ceremony, and practicing calligraphy. Bushido is a dichotomy. I also got an insight into my own Japanese culture that everything is below the surface. During a bokken (wooden sword) training scene with Algren and Katsmoto's second Ujio ( masterful martial artist, Hiroyuki Sanada), he learns one of the keys of mastery-- mu-shin ("no mind"). Cruise performs the martial arts sequences expertly. He intensely trained in Aikido and Iaido-- signatured in his posture and gate wearing the hakama and kimono. All the fight scenes are exquisite. World class martial artists are involved in "Samurai".
Ken Watanabe is a noble and commanding presence as Katsumoto. He is truly Samurai. He is a great actor-- he is just being. His transformation from Algren's enemy to partner is key to the story. Whether Cruise's Algren fights beside Watanabe's Katsumoto in an assassination attempt or in their personal conversations, their bond embodies the respect of two strong, smart men, who have seen too much war and death. Their relationship is poignant and inspiring. After the winter Algren returns to Kyoto and to the Emperor's Army, but his heart and soul are samurai. Soon he must choose his loyalty as a matter of honor. In a great scene Taka explains to Algren that her son, Higen (Sosuke Ikematsu), is a child who does not understand Bushido, and is afraid of losing Algren. Speaking in Japanese Algren tells Higen that his always afraid in war. It is the paradox of the honor conversation: living honorably is as important as dying honorably.
The Japanese cast is incredible. Koyuki as Taka is amazing and stunningly beautiful. She is the traditional Japanese woman who downplays her strength and wisdom. Yet, she is the emotional anchor of "Samurai". Shin Koyamada as Nobutada (Katsumoto's son) is brash with a great warrior spirit. Sosuke Ikematsu is touching as Taka's young son growing up samurai.
This is Tom Cruise's best performance. Aside from mastering the peripheral elements like martial arts and speaking Japanese, his performance as Nate Algren is captivating. It is not formula. The transformation from burn out war hero to the honorable leader of men is moving. You see it in the actor's eyes, and hear it in his voice as Algren begins to care about and honor people, and himself. Algren's path to be a peace with himself is the most human and noble of all endeavors. Cruise does it right.
Katsumoto says at one point in the movie that the Samurai are no longer necessary. Algren says what could be more necessary than honor, courage, and compassion? Zwick and Cruise remind us of this, from a culture long gone, in a very special movie. We honor them for doing so.