A Boy and His Samurai (2010)

Director: Yoshihiro Nakamura
Producers: Yoshiaki Kawajiri, Akiko Ikuno
Screenplay: Yoshihiro Nakamura, Tamio Hayashi

Starring:
Ryo Nishikido as Kijima Yasube
Rie Tomosaka as Hiroko Yusa
Fuku Suzuki as Tomoya Yusa
Hiroki Miyake as Sadao Abe
Masashi Arifuku as Man in Black
Mitsu Murata as Time Agent
Makoto Otake as Time Agent

Music: Midori Yasukawa
Cinematography: Kobayashi Yuan
Editing: Yoshihiro Nakamura
Release Date: January 30, 2010 (Japan)
Running Time: 139 minutes
Language: Japanese

 

***SPOILER ALERT***

Floating in a River of Good Cinema

Here we have it, the second movie this week by Yoshihiro Nakamura, and I’m now floating in a river of good cinema. A Boy and His Samurai is a beautifully heartwarming film that left me longing for the rigidity, respect, and sense of duty from the old times. It can get a little sappy (amattarui in Japanese) at times, but by the end, it had me in tears over the idea of custard recipes from feudal Japan. Nakamura strikes again with a delightful story that balances humor, drama, and touching moments.

Captivating Performances and Memorable Characters

The actors are charming. Rie Tomosaka, with her slightly asymmetric jaw, exudes kindness and a willingness to help the confused samurai she finds on the street. I felt a deep sympathy for her character. Ryo Nishikido delivers a compelling performance as the samurai, even if he occasionally seems too modern for a 19th-century warrior. But his youthful energy, combined with his old-fashioned values, makes for a wise and endearing character. Young Fuku Suzuki is both cute and annoying, as a child should be, and I felt genuine sadness knowing he wouldn't have his paternal figure around for long.

Life Lessons from a Feudal Samurai

Understanding Japanese would undoubtedly enhance the experience, as the samurai’s language is distinctly from the Edo period. Yet, it’s clear he’s not from the present when he disciplines everyone in a fast food restaurant for being impolite! The scene where the castle cake construction fails and Tomoya gets a severe reprimand is particularly poignant. Instead of succumbing to anger, the samurai improvises a solution, teaching a valuable lesson in patience and problem-solving. This resonated with me personally, reminding me to handle frustrations with my own child more constructively. I was also hoping for a little action with katanas and such, and while the encounter with the Yakuza added some excitement, it wasn’t quite as thrilling as I expected. However, this made the movie more suitable for a younger audience.

The music is beautiful, featuring some lovely jazzy tunes that perfectly complement the film's tone. The cinematography is stunning, capturing beauty in every frame. Nakamura’s eye for visual storytelling is evident, making every shot a piece of art. This is a soft, heartwarming movie perfect for family time, filled with humorous situations and inspiring drama. It’s a film that can inspire you to sit up a little straighter and appreciate the simpler things in life. If someone asked me to watch it again tomorrow, I would gladly oblige.

🎥 Cinematography (10/10):

Stunning. I can clearly recall that final establishing shot of the teahouse with cherry blossom branches in the foreground.

📖 Story (8/10):

A heartwarming and touching narrative that blends elements of time travel, samurai honor, and modern life, though it can get a bit sappy at times. Being a Buddhist myself, I love that the supernatural element of the movie revolves around a Buddha statue.

🎬 Direction (10/10):

Yoshihiro Nakamura’s direction is masterful, bringing out the best in the actors and maintaining a compelling pace throughout the film.

👥 Characters (8/10):

Our samurai sometimes didn't convince me that he came from the past. Probably they should have added that element in the movie, leaving the audience guest if he was just a guy with a mental disorder.

💥 Visual Effects (9/10):

This doesn't matter much. The samurai drawing in the puddle seemed fine. I will count it as extra points for photography.

🎭 Acting (8/10):

This one is kind of hard to judge without knowing Japanese, but it didn't felt weird.

💬 Dialogue (7/10):

Engaging with a mix of old-fashioned samurai speech and modern-day conversations.

🌍 Setting/Atmosphere (10/10):

Experiencing both modern and old Japan is always good for me.

🎵 Music (10/10):

Really cool relaxing jazz music.

😄 Entertainment Value (9/10):

A delightful and touching film that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages, with plenty of humor and heartfelt moments.

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