Love and Honor (Variety Review)

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Love and Honor / Bushi No Ichibun (Japan)

A Shochiku Co., Love and Honor Film Partners production. (International sales: Shochiku Co. Ltd., Tokyo.) Produced by Takeo Hisamatsu, Hiroshi Fukusawa, Ichiro Yamamoto. Executive producer, Junichi Sakamoto.
Directed by Yoji Yamada. Screenplay, Yamada, Emiko Hiramatsu, Ichiro Yamamoto, based on the story "Moumokuken Kodamagaeshi" by Shuehei Fujisawa.

Shinnojo Mimura - Takuya Kimura
Kayo - Rei Dan
Tokuhei - Takashi Sasano
Samurai teacher - Ken Ogata
Aunt Ine - Kaori Momoi
Toya Shimada - Mitsugoro Bando


By RUSSELL EDWARDS


In what is being referred to as the third film in his "Samurai trilogy," vet helmer Yoji Yamada's meller "Love and Honor" delivers style and grace with a final restrained drop of bloodshed. Pic built on form set by earlier Oscar-nommed pics "The Twilight Samurai" (2002) and "The Hidden Blade" (2004) by accruing socko biz since opening in Japan last December.
Local B.O. was only superceded by the Nipponese embrace of Clint Eastwoord's "Letters From Iwo Jima." Featuring handsome Wong Kar-wai alumni Takuya Kimura ("2046"), Yamada'a latest effort should replicate the more limited international biz of its predecessors.

While pic is the third in the series, given the 50 book storehouse of Shuhei Fujisawa stories to be drawn on and Yamada's long experience with commercial franchises (the "Gakko" pictures as well as several instalments of Japan's beloved "Toran-san" series), 90-something helmer is likely to keep making samurai pictures for as long as he, and the substantial B.O., holds out.

A young and proud samurai, Shinnojo Mimura (Takuya Kimura) is dissatisfied with his job as a food taster for the local shogun and dreams of a life teaching martial arts to children in his own dojo. However, a chance inclusion of a seasonally toxic shellfish draws the curtain on Mimura's ambition as the poison throws him into a coma and, upon reviving, permanent blindness. Unable to support himself, his beautiful wife, Kayo (Rei Dan), or his long-time servant, Tokuhei, (Takashi Sasano), the samurai considers suicide. An indication of her devotion, Kayo has hidden her husband's sword.

Fearful that they may have to take in the blind relative, Mimura's self-obsessed family (spearheaded by Kaori Momoi in a characteristically amusing turn as a gossiping aunt) suggest Kayo take up an offer of financial assistance from an advisor to the Shogun, Lord Shimada (Mitsugoro Bando). Powerless, Kayo agrees, but is painfully aware that Shimada is likely to seek sexual compensations. Quid pro quo, the Shogun grants Mimura a continued stipend despite his being unable to fulfil more samurai duties. However, the proud young man is enraged and feels his honor has been sullied when he realizes what his wife has had to do. Inevitably, the dishonored and blind samurai wishes to seek revenge.

Narrative plays out too slowly and methodically for those seeking martial arts thrills, but classically told yarn is as fine a piece of storytelling as one could hope for. Yamada's direction is assured and shows no sign of artery hardening.

Kimura's portrayal of the visually afflicted Mimura is convincing and maintains the realistic atmosphere despite developments that strain credulity. Dan is excellent as the faithful wife, displaying a command of nuance in what could have been a thankless role. Likewise, Sasano provides humor and sincerity as the faithful servant Tokuhei. Ken Ogata also gives his usual strong perf in a c ameo as Mimura's fencing master. Typically for a big-budget venture like this, lensing and production design is flawless. Music though has a whiff of traditionalism, unobtrusively infused with a contempo style.

Camera (color), Mutsuo Naganuma; editor, Iwao Ishii; music, Isao Tomita; production designer, Mitsuo Degawa; art director, Naomi Koike; Costume designer, Kazuko Kurosawa; sound, (Dolby Digital) Kazumi Kishida. Reviewed at Berlin Film Festival (Panorama Specials), Feb. 9, 2007. Running time: 121 MIN.


With: Nenji Kobayashi, Makoto Akatsuka, Toshiki Ayata, Koen Kondo, Nobuto Okamoto, Tokie Hidari, Yasuo Daichi


http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout ... 4&nid=2853