"You want me to
kill Japos? You want me train Japos to kill other
Japos? I don't care. For $500 a month, I'll
kill anything that moves. But, also know this -- I
would gladly kill you for free." That is the
line that sticks out at the beginning of this film, and it
is delivered by Tom Cruise to Tony Goldwyn.
"The Last Samurai" tells the story of two warriors,
one American and one Japanese, and does so by showing both
of their natures and both of their reasons for being the
way they are. This contrast is what makes "The
Last Samurai" one of the most intriguing and
excellent films of the year.
Tom Cruise stars as Captain Nathan Algren, an American
hero who fought alongside Custer and slaughtered hundreds
of Native Americans. He is asked by the Army to
travel to Japan, where he will train their soldiers to
fight with Winchester rifles, hopefully leading to a trade
deal between Japan and the United States. During the
first battle, his ill-trained troops falter and Algren is
taken captive by the Samurai, led by General Katsumoto
(Ken Watanabe). There, he starts learning the ways
of the Samurai, has many interesting 'conversations' with
his opposing general, and starts developing bonds of love
and friendship with the townspeople. And, then the
Samurai way of life is threatened, he joins with them to
fight the Japanese soldiers. That is the plotline
the studio executives want the public to know about
because it sells more tickets.
The real plot involves the constitutions of Cruise and
Watanabe. Cruise, in the beginning, is an alcoholic
working in traveling Winchester shows. He is haunted
by the events of his past and wants nothing more than to
drink himself to death. Watanabe is a man, steeped
in honor and tradition, who does not like how his native
Japan is turning so modern. Early on, we see that he
would gladly take his own life if his Emperor requested
him to do so. What makes their stories so
interesting is that we see the respect they hold for one
another. We see how Cruise admires the discipline
and morale of the Samurai. We know then that he is
not just some burned out alcoholic.
This film is filled with scene after scene of intense
tradition and intense beauty. There is a sequence of
scenes in which the General's sister Taka (Koyuki) forces
Cruise into somewhat of a Twelve-Step Program, Japanese
style. At first, we believe his illness to be from
his wounds. However, we soon realize they are coming
from his lack of alcohol, as he screams, "Sake!"
into the night. There is another marvelous sequences
of scenes in which a band of ninjas attack the Samurai
compounds, and Cruise and Watanabe are standing side by
side, warrior against warrior, fighting off the men.
"The Last Samurai" is one of the best films of
the year, and Cruise and Watanabe both deserve Oscar
consideration for their marvelous performances. Tony
Goldwyn is cold and harsh as Cruise's superior officer,
and Timothy Spall is just wonderful as Simon Graham, the
historian. Director Edward Zwick ("Glory",
"Legends of the Fall") has crafted a gorgeous
film here, and I would not be surprised if he is not
honored as well. Alongside "Master and
Commander", I am going to have a hard time choosing a
true favorite at the end of this year. This is the
reason I love going to the movies.
