A film that quietly charms and delights to indelible effect
Our lives are busy affairs. The hustle and bustle of streets workplaces, the pervasiveness of the online world. We’re in an era where technology was supposed to make our lives more easier and offer connectivity, instead feels all too overwhelming and people more distant than ever. With Perfect Days director Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas, Wings of Desire) offers an escape by crafting an ode to the simpler things in life and the joys within. Koji Yakusho plays Hirayama, a man in his 60s, who lives a modest life. Awakening in a clean and minimalist abode, he dresses for his day of work, cleaning the public toilets of Tokyo. Days are a routine, filled with small pleasures such as his cans of coffee, picked up from a vending machine. He encounters people, although few speak to him. A cyclic existence as his days repeat, but instead of boredom, there is a sense of peace. A freedom for Hirayama to meditate, to watch the living world and its people, and to reflect on the beauty all around him.
It all sounds a bit too simple and idyllic, which of course is part of the appeal. The film, written by Wim Wenders and Takuma Takasaki, feels fully inspired by the old adage that reminds us to “stop and smell the flowers”. His life, and day to day routines opening us up to his observations. Details, imperfections, in both the natural and human world. Elements that unite us, puncturing the self-importance of a businessman, or elevating the status of a homeless person. A harmonious worldview from a man who we get to know through his actions in his day to day life, and more especially his quieter moments. The film is notably reminiscent of the wistful charms and contemplative nature of Jim Jarmusch’s Paterson. Hirayama portrays the act of cleaning a toilet as something profound. He demonstrates poignancy in taking time to look up, when his days revolve around looking at the ground. A gesture underscored by those around him having their heads buried in their smartphones. Even his home and possessions serve his minimal approach and appreciation for beauty, cultivating saplings and using an old-school camera to snap trees on his excursions about town. The film’s score, channeled though Hirayama’s selection of old cassettes tapes, is more than just a vibe, with songs from rock outfits such as the Velvet Underground, the Kinks, and Otis Redding, serving as a key to his mood. Yakusho delivers a delicate and textured performance. It lends to the films rhythmic quality, which has it’s roots in the repetition of his characters everyday life.
What does portend to unsettle things is the arrival of Hirayama’s niece (Arisa Nakano), who reconnects him to his wider family and the various baggage and problems they themselves bear. From this, we’re exposed to some of the hidden qualities of the man, enough to add layers, but not throw the film away from it’s overall tone. Is it too cheery? Perhaps. Perfect Days is clearly sentimental for a bygone age, not least with it’s scrutinizing of modern technologies and behavior. Hirayama is a humble man, blue-collar worker, and seemingly happy with his lot in life. The film does little to open up this man’s aspirations to anything more, aside from our insights into his hobbies and pursuits, which range from photography, to music, to literature. Its possible to frame this as a somewhat blinkered view of a life. Cynicism aside, it feels more like a grand affirmation of how nourishing the arts can be for a soul, and how the simple pleasures of life can bring a sense of satisfaction.
The Package
Taking in urban landscapes, a simple homestead, and the persistence of nature, Perfect Days is a beautiful and textured film, and this 4K transfer is well up the the task of conveying that. There’s a pleasing cleanliness to the image, detail is superbly rendered, colors are natural and healthy in representation. Just a delight to watch. Extra features complement the film well, largely mining personal insights on the production:
- New interview with Wenders: the director delves into his appreciation for Japan, it’s people and fellow filmmaker Ozu Yasujirô. Its a nice dive into his thoughts, and insights into the societal contrasts between Japan and the US
- Interview with actor Koji Yakusho: Personal insights into the experience of working on the film, under Wenders, and reflection on what the film means
- Interview with producer Koji Yanai, founder of the Tokyo Toilet project: Another perspective on the film and its meaning, from the person behind the scheme (seen in the film) that brought an artistry to a series of public toilets across the city
- some body comes into the light (2023), a short by Wenders, featuring a new introduction by the director: A sublime piece, centered around a dance performance by Tanaka Min, who also features in Perfect Days
- Trailer
- PLUS: An essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri: Within the liner notes, which also contain information on the films 4K transfer
- New cover by Michael Boland
The Bottom Line
There are films that leave an indelible impression. Perfect Days is such a film, one that makes it mark with such a deliberate grace and subtlety, it makes its impact all the more profound. Criterion’s 4K delivers an outstanding, and fitting treatment, of a truly beautiful film.
Perfect Days is available on 4K via Criterion now
