The Last Samurai is a Tom Cruise film about a hero of the American west being hired by the Emperor of Japan to train his imperial military for the purpose of suppressing a Samurai rebellion, and bringing Japan into the modern world.
Nathan Abred is a drunk who is drowning his memories of American atrocities committed against native people. This is his haunting, which disallows him to get a good nights sleep.
There are a lot of parallels drawn between the American Natives and the elite warrior class in Japan created by the first Shogun known as the Samurai. Abred’s past gives him great respect for the Native warriors, and consequently for the Samurai warriors.
The Japanese political advisor who hired Nathan from America sends the untrained military into battle against the warriors, trusting in their superior firepower to save them. In the battle, the weak-kneed conscripts fire too soon, leaving their muskets empty for the close-range match that ensues. Only Cruise survives, because he fights to the end, earning the respect of the Samurai leader Kasamoto.
He is taken prisoner, and experiences a Stockholm Syndrome, becoming one of the Samurai.
The story is a timeless one of honor, beauty, and a man finding his strength.
Great quote:
“I think a man does what he can, until his destiny is revealed.”
Tom Cruise comes off to me as fake – always has, ever since Top Gun. This performance is no exception, but the story line is excellent enough to compensate for the poor cast selection. The implications for manhood in this movie are provocative: honor, destiny, protection of a woman, beauty of the world, and all that jazz. The military sequences are well done, and seem authentic. Steel vs. Gunpowder is a battle that one never expects to be won by the Steel, and thus we have a tragic story.
This review was written by Russell Mann. You can find more excellent perspective on books, movies, art, and music at his blog. This review of The Last Samurai can be found on his blog as well.
Article comments
1 - Keith Sikora
While I do agree that Tom Cruise failed utterly in this role, at least admit that Ken Watanabe made up for him and more as Katsumoto.
2 - Elizabeth Moody
I disagree with Keith. Tom did a great job. I couldn't see Mr. Pitt or my ultra Mat Damon playing this role. He was just as great as Watanabe. The movie was full of action since the first scene and just as emotionaly adventurous. Created a thought process in me for more ambitions. This movie is a certain eye opener for those with lost feelings.