Samurai - "To serve." Note: Spoiler material

Rating: Null/10 (11 December 2003)

Audiences world wide will find, The Last Samurai, to be one of the most finely executed epic films. In Japanese, Samurai means `to serve,' and that is exactly what each person a part of this film does, making it Oscar worthy, in so many capacities.
Tom Cruise is flawless, as he so skillfully plays Nathan Algren, a captain in the American army, in 1876. His supporting caste, to name a few, Billy Connolly, as Zebulon Gant, and Timothy Spall, as Simon Graham, is superb. Unfortunately, Tony Goldwyn's portrayal of American Colonel Bagley is disappointingly off key, as he is a little less engaging and credible, than the other core group of actors. Overall, the emotional depth of characters and inter-relatedness among them is like a highly stylized, yet, easily comprehensible violin piece. The local color of the Japanese country side, at every season, is breathtakingly beautiful. Every battle scene is so heart-wrenchingly executed, with such a show of physical stamina, that we are completely awed by it. The film is masterfully crafted, from writing, by John Logan, Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick, to directing by Ed Zwick, to cinematography by John Toll, and finally, to all of the actors, who contribute to creating such a magnificent film. At the conclusion, I found myself in a wondrous, emotional, and reflective euphoria.
The film begins at a San Francisco Fair, in 1876, where Captain Algren, of the U.S. army, while under the influence of a little alcohol, is now undesirably promoting the sale of rifles to the American consumer. We see a young man full of regret for having served his country with orders to kill innocent Indian women and children. Soon enough, his past war efforts will pale in comparison, for the challenge that lies ahead.

American, Colonel Bagley (Tony Goldwyn) is in the midst of negotiating an arms agreement with Japan's wealthy army leader, Mr. Omura (Masato Harada). Nathan's assignment is to train and refine the Japanese army, bringing this country into its modern age. In turn, Mr. Omura promises to buy arms from America. In Mr. Omura's vexation, he thinks that Japan can only come into its modernization, if the long lived traditional tribal group, known as the Samurai are once and for all defeated. This group of people is steeped in a more ancient Japanese tradition of living. Every day they awake to executing daily tasks with pride, care, and excellence of execution. They will die by their own sword to defend the life they know best.

Unfortunately, the country's Emperor Meiji (Shichinosuke Nakamura) is all of about sixteen. As a result, he simply fears for his life and the country's, to speak out in defense of the Samurai. In not speaking up, he spurns the exact war, he is so quietly trying to avoid.
Nathan, the dutiful soldier takes on his task at training the Japanese army. But, once the Samurai, unsuspectingly take him captive, he becomes intimately involved and greatly attached to their way of life. The Samurai are proud, tough, yet, still humble servants among their community. Taka (Koyuki) now a widow Samurai, whose husband is killed by Nathan's hand, must now welcome Nathan into her home, and mend his physical and psychological war wounds. At first, she is reluctant, but her brother, Katsumoto, (Ken Watanabe) the Samurai leader, reminds her of her duty to serve.
From the start, Nathan is rather ignored by the community. A silent elder Samurai, who Nathan names `Bob,' follows Nathan everywhere, to be sure that Nathan does not rebel or attempt to escape. Ironically, Bob will serve as a protector to Nathan in battle. Slowly, the group takes an interest and liking to the able bodied Captain. Likewise, he takes to them, their ways, and their beautiful territory. To a degree, Nathan even becomes self taught in their language. The local men teach him, most importantly, how to defend himself with the Samurai sword. Probably, equally as important, is the close rapport Nathan develops with the highly disciplined, yet, warm hearted Katsumoto. They become really like brothers. Tom, so truly engaged as Nathan, has such a natural way of relating to all of the other actors. In some moments, I felt as if I was watching a Julia Roberts documentary. I know that sounds funny, but I mean it as a sincere compliment. These moments are just so human, lovely, and touching.
Unfortunately, war awaits Nathan and the Samurai people. Nathan has now decided to help defend the Samurai against Japan's newly trained modern army. A heart-wrenching and intensely physical battle scene transpires. Nathan's roused soul, shines in his eyes, like that of an anguished and angry tiger. The Samurai are warriors who live and die by their own sword. It is their code of honor.
After so much blood shed, the young introspective Emperor finally speaks his words, supporting the tradition of the Samurai. With honor, the young boy Emperor accepts Katsumoto's sword, as a symbol to accepting their tradition, from a war worn Nathan. Having defended a tradition based upon honor, loyalty, and service, Nathan feels a greater sense of resolve.
Cruise and this caste take us on a sacred journey, to another world, in another time. Tom's utmost respect for a tradition and culture is clearly visible on screen. His sense of commitment to playing Nathan Algren comes from somewhere special inside himself. He is completely wrapped up in the character, yet, he is not detrimentally all consuming, on screen either. His inter-relatedness to his fellow actors is clearly visible and critical to this successful portrayal. As Nathan, Tom deeply shares himself with others, and they in turn, share with him. Tom Cruise, in The Last Samurai is bound to move you in a way that you have never see before, on the big screen.