Beautiful, moving, thought-provoking and haunting

Rating: 9/10 (13 January 2004)

I watched The Last Samurai last night for the 1st time, and when the credits came up my eyes began to fill. Now I don't feel like this easily, but there was something about this film that made me feel so good, so different to so many other films. It was like making a New Year promise, as I started thinking about so many different things afterwards, like how much people whine nowadays at the simplest tasks etc. How badly I want to be in love...lol. How beautiful Japan is (I'm going to the Far-East for my first time in July - China). How beautifully Taka (Koyuki) was portrayed, and was not degraded once, by OTT sex scenes or nudity. Her relationship with Nathan (Tom Cruise) was so beautiful, and I felt the pain of both their lives/situations. Just shows how ridiculous wars are...you could kill a man on the battle field....and he may very well have been a good friend. However, the battle scenes were extremely well choreographed and moving and the film contained the perfect amount of action, romance and culture. As a westerner who hasn't ever been to the far-east, yet alone lived in the 19th Century I cannot comment on it's accuracy, but nonetheless I enjoyed every breath during this superb film.
I am now determined to practice my martial art more often, get my revision done for my exams next week! And generally become more 'at one' with myself and the world. Sorry for the cheesey ending.
Peace.