'Even with my eyes wide open, I can't see a thing'
Zatoichi 8.6
I had previously seen two films from Japanese Director come Jack of all trades Beat Takeshi; Hana Bi and Brother, and there was no question over which was better. Brother had some nice shots but felt like a missed opportunity, where as Hana-Bi had that mindworm quality that is so important. Then came the wonderful Zatoichi.
The story setup is a familiar one to fans of samurai films. A poor rural community is under attack from a marauding gang who are roaming the lands unchecked and unchallenged, demanding protection money. The innocent people need a defender, and they find one in the shape of Kitano's Zatoichi, a blind ex-masseur, who doesn't let his rather debilitating setback quash his considerable combat skills. It is a well-known, well-trodden and very simple concept. Things do get more complex as the film goes on, and along the way we also see back stories to some more minor characters, but this is a film you enjoy not so much for the story, but the style and execution.
It gives something of a compete feeling of all round entertainment which touches on varying emotions, within the first 5 minutes I had experienced considerable contentment, awe, shock and laughter. It reminded me somewhat of The Happiness of the Katakuris from Takashi Miike (another legend of the Japanese film industry) they are very different films, but achieve something of a similar effect in being so full of character and vision, for instance they both include musical numbers which have no real purpose in the plot.
This film is soaked with real personality and a violent yet fun loving nature - there are laughs amidst the gasps. An early moment helps to set the tone. Workers are hoeing a field, each strike they make in time to music - this happens more than once. I get the feeling that Beat now has the inclination and power to write and direct films the way he wants to, not to pander to anyone else, a rare thing these days - it should be cherished. (I remember getting the same impression when watching Paul Thomas Anderson's masterpiece Magnolia for the first tome) He manages to find a real visual style, it is beautiful to look at yet still feels suitably grimy. I loved the comic relief character who wants to be all the things he is not; beautiful, a great combatant, a successful gambler, respected etc. One of my favourite scenes is of him trying to hold an impromptu swordplay class with a small group. What he is actually doing is trying to show off the skills he clearly doesn't have. He invites them to attach him, after which he proclaims 'not all at once'. Sometimes a character like this in a film that deals with serious themes can dilute the.overall effect unfortunately, but in this it had the opposite effect.
To complain about the cheap special effects would be to miss the point. None of this is meant to make you believe, it's meant to entertain, a point all but proven by a curious final scene of the cast dancing. It acts and feels like an encore of a stage show. I knew early on that this had charmed me with it's artistic freedom and somewhat kitchen sink approach. As it went on I was hoping more and more that it wasn't going to collapse under the weight of itself, and I am happy to report that my investment only grew stronger. One of the best films I have seen this year.
N.B.
I now realise there is an extensive series of Zatoichi films - i'm guessing the character is something of a folk hero in Japan - like a Robin Hood or King Arthur, whose story periodically deserves retelling and perhaps reinvention. If I come across any other versions I will give them a go, however I will be surprised if I enjoy any others as much as this one.
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