by Joseph Perry
Normally here at “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict,” both Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. However, here and there they will be taking the reins in a solo outing. For this installment, it’s Joseph with a solo review of Japanese period piece Bushido by director Kazuya Shiraishi.
Synopsis
A man is separated from his daughter by a false accusation and risks his pride as a samurai to seek revenge. Kakunoshin Yanagida (Tsuyoshi Kusanagi), a ronin, is accused of a crime he does not commit. He is mourning the death of his wife, and is forced to leave his hometown, the Hikone domain, where he lives with his daughter, Kinu (Kaya Kiyohara), in a poor tenement house in Edo (Tokyo). Even under such circumstances, he does not lose his pride as a samurai. His only pleasure is to play the game of Go, and his way of playing reflects his sincere character. One day, Kakunoshin finds the truth behind a tragic false accusation by an old clan acquaintance and decides to take revenge. To support her father, Okinu chooses to sacrifice herself. A father and daughter's battle for pride begins.
The Good
Shiraishi has crafted a masterful jidaigeki (period piece) drama that is infused with strong levels of skillful filmmaking and incredible talent on both sides of the camera, along with a huge heart. Based on a rakugo (traditional comic storytelling) story, most of the battles take place over a Go board rather than with swordplay, and there is intrigue, suspense, and gripping drama to spare. Kusanagi and Kiyohara head up a superb sizable cast, and Shiraishi paces things perfectly. The set design beautifully brings Japan’s Edo period to cinematic life, with Cinematographer Jun Fukamoto gorgeously capturing every nuance of the proceedings and Composer Umitarô Abe’s score enchantingly adding to the entrancing atmosphere.
The Bad
Sometimes this section is difficult to fill in, and at other times pretty much impossible. Bushido is so excellent in every way that I have nothing the least bit negative to say about it.
The Verdict
Bushido is one of two recent Japanese films involving samurai that I absolutely love, and that are top-notch in their storytelling, performances, direction, editing, cinematography, score, set design, and technical aspects — watch for my equally glowing review next week of A Samurai in Time, the other film, as Mike and I have a two-person review of it scheduled. Both films have cemented a place on my list of the best films of 2025. I give Bushido my highest recommendations. Aficionados of Japanese cinema should consider the film a must-see, and it should be a delightful watch for cinephiles of all stripes.
Bushido (aka Gobangiri)
Directed By: Kazuya Shiraishi
Written By: Masato Kato
Starring: Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, Kaya Kiyohara, Jun Kunimura, Takumi Saitô
Run Time: 2h 9m
Rating: NR
Release Date: May 17, 2024 (Japan)
Comments
Post a Comment
Share your thoughts with us