In general, the reviews of this film have been positive. It has made a few top ten lists for 2003. However, the negative reviews for the film always bring up that the movie depicts a white hero coming in to save a minority group. I can see how this opinion is being formed. However, these critics are missing the bigger point.
The story follows decorated Civil War and Indian War fighter Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise, MAGNOLIA) as he is hired to help train the new Japanese military in the ways of the West. Algren is a drunk and has been squeaking out a living by doing gun demonstrations on tour. The Japanese "soldiers" he is supposed to train are peasants and farmers, who must go up against the highly skilled samurai. Even with guns, the Japanese soldiers are no match for the samurai. In the battle, Algren is taken prisoner, because the samurai leader Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe, U.S. debut) is interested in knowing his enemy and respects the fighting spirit in Algren. Katsumoto places Algren in the care of his sister Taka (Koyuki, U.S. debut), who was the wife of one of the samurai Algren killed. Through his time in the samurai village, Algren learns about the code of honor these people live by and is haunted by the Indian massacres he participated in.
The film is about Algren finding honor and inner peace again. However, his heroic actions at the end of the film can easily be read as the white man stealing another person's culture and excelling at it. However, I think its more a note of respect to his training. I think this idea would have been more clearly stated if Algren had been seen paying respect to his teacher, Katsumoto, like Katsumoto pays to the emperor. I don't in any way think these minor quibbles ruin the emotional impact of the film; I just think they would have done away with many of the naysayers' complaints.
It's a rousing adventure, held together by great characters. Ken Watanabe well deserves an Oscar nod for his wonderful performance. He is the soul of this film, without him it would have fallen into mediocrity. Cruise does well as a tortured soul and at the beginning of the film a tortured drunk. This film is well worth the price of admission if you're looking for a well-crafted adventure with something to say at its core. How can one stay true to their country when their country asks them to do something that makes them loose their honor?
Buy "The Last Samurai" on DVD Here!
Buy "The Last Samurai" on Blu-ray Here!
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
