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The Last Samurai (2003)
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Movie Review by Justin 
February 12th, 2006
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Leaving a screening of "The Last Samurai," my friend said he thought it should be considered a Japanese film. Funny comment, but also a keen observation. There's nary a strand of Americana to be found in the whole picture. It's a big studio epic, but full of unexpected intelligence and sensitivity. Edward Zwick & co. regard this as a work of monumental importance, and the effect is considerable. Tom Cruise tackles a dark role here; gruff, pained, he is deliberate and focused as never before -- this is his best performance to date. Just watch his facials, and the firey intensity behind his eyes. What's remarkable about this film is just how fluidly it unfolds, and how smooth a transition our fragile protagonist makes from embittered war veteran to far-East spiritualist. We don't second-guess it for a moment. It's a handsome picture, and there's plenty to admire about its craftsmanship, but what resonates about it is the way it challenges our convictions. We are moved, but not for tears nor for joy. No, it's something deeper. There's an emotional quality to it, sure, but maybe spiritual is a better way of putting it. The movie gets at something primal, savage, innate. What we see is not rich or complex in itself, or even original for that matter. But it is honest in a way we didn't expect.
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