Perfect Days - Movie Review

Chris Stuckmann

28 Feb 202406:03

Summary

TLDRThe film 'Perfect Days,' directed by Wim Wenders and nominated for Best International Feature at the Oscars, offers a slice-of-life narrative centered around a Tokyo janitor who finds beauty in everyday moments. The protagonist, Hiyama, portrayed by Koji Yakusho, communicates minimally but conveys depth through his expressions and actions. As his routine is disrupted, viewers are drawn into his contemplation of life's transience and the preciousness of simple joys. This meditative exploration of the mundane is a testament to Wenders' storytelling and Yakusho's acting, leaving audiences with a renewed appreciation for life's fleeting moments.

Takeaways

🎥 'Perfect Days' is a film directed by Wim Wenders that has been nominated for Best International Feature at the Oscars.
🚗 The film's plot revolves around a janitor in Tokyo who cleans public toilets and listens to music on cassette tapes during his commute.
🎵 The janitor's character, Hiyama, is portrayed by Koji Yakusho, a legendary actor known for his role in the film 'Cure'.
😶 Hiyama speaks very little throughout the film, with most of his character being expressed through his actions and facial expressions.
🌳 The movie showcases the beauty of everyday life and the small moments that are often overlooked, such as the play of sunlight through leaves.
📸 Hiyama captures these moments with a camera, keeping the photos that best represent what he was trying to capture in a special box.
🤔 The film explores Hiyama's character more deeply when his routine is disrupted, hinting at a past that has led him to appreciate life's fleeting moments.
🌅 Hiyama's appreciation for simple things like nature, music, and books is portrayed as a way to understand the preciousness of life.
🎬 The film is described as a 'slice of life' movie that slowly reveals more about the character through personal interactions and daily routine.
🎉 The reviewer found 'Perfect Days' to be euphoric, leaving them with a newfound appreciation for life and its everyday moments.
📅 The reviewer also mentions upcoming video content, including a feature presentation for 'Spirited Away' and a potential spoiler review for 'Dune 2'.

Q & A

What is the film 'Perfect Days' about?
-The film 'Perfect Days' is about a janitor who cleans public toilets in Tokyo, listens to music on cassette tapes while driving to his cleaning stops, and is portrayed through his daily routine and interactions.
What is the significance of the janitor's job in the film?
-The janitor's job serves as the backdrop for the film, allowing the audience to observe his simple life and the beauty he finds in everyday moments, such as waiting outside a bathroom and appreciating nature.
How does the film 'Perfect Days' reflect on the concept of everyday life?
-The film reflects on everyday life by focusing on the janitor's routine, showing how he finds joy and meaning in simple, often overlooked, moments and the importance of appreciating the fleeting nature of life.
What role does music play in the film?
-Music plays a significant role as the janitor listens to it on cassette tapes while driving to his cleaning stops, providing a personal and intimate connection to his character.
Who is the lead character in 'Perfect Days' and who plays him?
-The lead character is Hiyama, a janitor, and he is played by Koji Yakusho, a legendary actor known for his role in the movie 'Cure'.
How does Koji Yakusho's performance contribute to the film?
-Koji Yakusho's performance is pivotal as he conveys a lot of emotion and character depth with minimal dialogue, primarily through facial expressions and body language.
What is the significance of Hiyama's photography hobby in the film?
-Hiyama's photography hobby is significant as it represents his attempt to capture and cherish the beauty of everyday life, reflecting on the impermanence of life and the importance of appreciating the moment.
How does the film handle unexpected disruptions in Hiyama's routine?
-The film uses unexpected disruptions, such as unexpected visitors or a coworker calling off, to reveal more about Hiyama's character and his possible attempts to restart or change his life.
What is the director's approach to showcasing the beauty of everyday life in the film?
-The director, Wim Wenders, showcases the beauty of everyday life by focusing on small, often overlooked moments, and using silence and big screen visuals to emphasize the quiet, intimate moments of appreciation.
What impact does the film aim to have on its audience?
-The film aims to make the audience reflect on the value of everyday moments and the importance of not taking life for granted, leaving them with a sense of happiness and appreciation for life.
What other films or themes does 'Perfect Days' remind the viewer of?
-The film is reminiscent of Jim Jarmusch's 'Paterson' and has a spiritual connection to it, both being slice-of-life movies that reveal character depth through daily routines and interactions.

Outlines

00:00

🎥 'Perfect Days': A Cinematic Journey Through Everyday Life

The first paragraph introduces the film 'Perfect Days' directed by Wim Wenders, which is nominated for Best International Feature at the Oscars. The plot revolves around a janitor in Tokyo who cleans public toilets while listening to music on cassette tapes. The movie is a slice of life that unfolds the character's depth through his daily routine and personal interactions. It's compared to Jim Jarmusch's 'Patterson' and features Koji Yakusho in a minimalist yet powerful performance. The film celebrates the beauty of everyday life, focusing on small, often overlooked moments. The protagonist, Hiyama, is portrayed as a character who appreciates the fleeting nature of life and the preciousness of simple pleasures. The narrative hints at a disrupted routine and personal growth, without revealing spoilers, suggesting a deeper understanding of life's impermanence.

05:00

🌟 Reflecting on Life's Simple Pleasures After Watching 'Perfect Days'

The second paragraph discusses the emotional impact of 'Perfect Days' on the viewer, leaving them with a newfound appreciation for life's moments and a desire not to take anything for granted. The speaker also mentions upcoming video content, including a feature presentation for Satoshi Kon's 'Paprika' and a potential spoiler review for 'Dune 2', expressing a personal enthusiasm for the cinema experience. The paragraph concludes with a thank you to the audience for watching and a promise of more videos to come, highlighting the joy of movie-watching as a shared experience.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Perfect Days

Perfect Days is the title of the film being discussed in the video script. Directed by Wim Wenders, it is a narrative that centers around the mundane life of a janitor, which is portrayed as beautiful and meaningful. The film is nominated for Best International Feature at the Oscars, highlighting its significance and recognition in the film industry. The script mentions that the film is about a janitor who cleans public toilets in Tokyo and listens to music on cassette tapes during his commutes, which forms the crux of the plot.

💡Janitor

A janitor is a person responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of buildings, typically focusing on tasks such as sweeping, mopping, and ensuring hygiene. In the context of the video, the janitor is the main character who cleans public toilets in Tokyo. His job and routine are depicted as a significant part of the film's exploration of everyday life and the beauty found within it.

💡Slice of Life

Slice of Life is a genre of film or narrative that aims to realistically portray the everyday experiences and routines of characters. The video script describes the film as a 'slice of life movie' that reveals more about the character through personal interactions and daily routine disruptions. This genre is often appreciated for its authenticity and the way it allows viewers to connect with characters on a deeper level.

💡Cassette Tapes

Cassette tapes are a form of magnetic tape recording and playback that was popular for music listening in the past. In the script, the janitor listens to music on cassette tapes while driving to his cleaning stops. This detail adds a nostalgic element to the film and also serves as a metaphor for the character's connection to the past and his personal journey.

💡Hiyama

Hiyama is the name of the lead character in the film Perfect Days, played by Koji Yakusho. The script describes him as a character with minimal dialogue, who communicates primarily through his actions and expressions. Hiyama's character is central to the film's exploration of the beauty in everyday moments and the concept of appreciating life's fleeting nature.

💡Koji Yakusho

Koji Yakusho is a renowned Japanese actor who plays the role of Hiyama in Perfect Days. The script mentions his previous work in the film 'Cure,' highlighting his acting prowess. His performance in Perfect Days is described as 'terrific' and 'legendary,' emphasizing the depth and subtlety he brings to the role with minimal dialogue.

💡Everyday Life

Everyday life refers to the ordinary, day-to-day experiences and routines that people go through. The video script discusses how the film Perfect Days is 'in love with the beauty of everyday life,' particularly focusing on small, often overlooked moments. The film encourages viewers to appreciate these moments and find beauty in the mundane.

💡Lens Flare

Lens flare is an optical effect that occurs in photography and film when light is scattered or flared in a lens system, often creating a starburst pattern. In the script, Hiyama attempts to capture beautiful moments with his camera, and sometimes the lens flare from the sun ruins the photo, leading him to discard it. This detail illustrates Hiyama's quest for capturing the perfect moment.

💡Disruption

Disruption refers to an event or occurrence that interrupts the normal course of something. In the context of the video, Hiyama's daily routine becomes disrupted by unexpected visitors or a coworker calling off, which leads to revelations about his character and his life. These disruptions serve as catalysts for deeper understanding and change within the narrative.

💡Appreciation

Appreciation in this context refers to the recognition and enjoyment of the beauty and value of something. The script emphasizes Hiyama's appreciation for everyday things like nature, music, and simple pleasures, which he views as precious and fleeting. This theme encourages viewers to embrace and value the often-overlooked aspects of life.

💡Euphoric

Euphoric describes a feeling of intense happiness or elation. The video script uses the term to describe the viewer's emotional response to the film, stating that it left them feeling 'happy about life' and not wanting to take any single moment for granted. This term captures the film's impact on the viewer's perspective and emotional state.

Highlights

The film 'Perfect Days' is directed by Wim Wenders and is nominated for Best International Feature at the Oscars.

The plot revolves around a janitor in Tokyo who cleans public toilets while listening to music on cassette tapes.

The movie is a slice of life that reveals more about the character through personal interactions and daily routine.

It's similar to Jim Jarmusch's 'Paterson' and may appeal to fans of that film.

The lead character, Hiyama, is portrayed by Koji Yakusho, known for his role in 'Cure'.

Hiyama speaks minimally, with most of the story unfolding through his actions and expressions.

The film showcases the beauty of everyday life and the small moments often taken for granted.

Hiyama appreciates the beauty of nature, such as sunlight through leaves, in quiet, intimate moments.

He attempts to capture these moments with a camera, keeping only those photos that truly capture the essence of the scene.

Unexpected disruptions in Hiyama's routine reveal more about his character and his possible desire to restart his life.

The film explores the idea that life is fleeting and the importance of appreciating everyday moments.

Hiyama finds significance in everyday experiences like visiting a cafe, hearing beautiful singing, or reading a good book.

The character's depth is conveyed through minimal dialogue and subtle interactions.

Koji Yakusho delivers a phenomenal performance with limited dialogue, relying on facial expressions and body language.

Despite being a slice of life film, 'Perfect Days' leaves the viewer with a sense of euphoria and appreciation for life's moments.

The reviewer plans to release a feature presentation video for Satoshi Kon's 'Perfect Blue' and a potential spoiler review for 'Dune 2'.