Twilight Samurai

When I think Samurai, I think honorable body guard trained to be the fiercest of all fighters. In Twilight Samurai we enter into a story of class. There are peasants, there are nobility, and there are Samurai (the paid professional servants of the nobility). These Samurai are often professional warriors, but many of them have a primary responsibility in the mundane. These lesser Samurai might be in charge of the food stores in case of a siege or battle, as is the case here. So while trained to fight, they are actually accountants. And of course, "lower class". Our hero (Seibei Iguchi) is one such accountant, who has lost his wife and struggles on his small stipend to support a senile mother and two young daughters. He is dutiful to his master/clan and to his family. This is not an action or martial arts film, but a look into the culture of mid-19th century Japan as its society begins the transition to modernity. What piqued my interest was the demonstrated roles and responsibilities of living in a hierarchy  At one point, Iguchi makes a request to allow his duty as a samurai to be placed on another. The clan master will not hear of it and, from a position of power, is astonished that the request is even made. Power insists that duty is fulfilled regardless of situation or conscience. Almost immediately following, the hierarchy shows another side. If Iguchi does not return, his superior accepts the responsibility to care for his senile mother and children. With power comes responsibility. Too often, those in power develop a great entitlement to the obedience and forget the responsibility that must be an equal partner.
4 stars (out of 5)