Released in 2023, Perfect Days is an impressive demonstration of how much can be accomplished with so little.
We’re a little bit late to the party on this one but it’s a hidden gem so here goes: Directed by German filmmaker Wim Winders, Perfect Days is more of a portrait than a story and follows 2 weeks in the life of Hirayama (played by Koji Yakusho), a quiet man who cleans public toilets in Tokyo. Despite the menial nature of his job, he brings extraordinary dedication and diligence to it.
He’s a gentle soul driven by routine who manages to enjoy the simplest things in life in one of the world’s most complex cities. It’s filmed entirely on location in Tokyo in a naturalistic, almost documentarian style. There’s no musical score but some lovely sequences where he listens to classic tracks on cassette.
There isn’t much by way of character development or dialogue. It is so light on plot, I’ve pretty much spoiled it already. The pace is almost meditative, for long sequences it could almost be a silent movie and there is so much toilet cleaning here it’s actually pretty mental. These all sound like complaints yet the final result is stunning.
It is a masterclass in subtlety, showing a story rather than telling and touching on themes of loneliness, what it means to find purpose, meaning, contentment and ultimately, happiness in a manner that feels completely authentic and effortless.
The whole film is carried by Koji Yakusho who absolutely nails it in an understated way. Since the credits rolled last night I’ve been wracking my brains for a character in a movie who came off more honestly likeable than his and so far I’ve come up short.
To be clear, Perfect Days IS NOT for everyone. If you watch movies for thrills or spectacles, this might not be your thing. If you’re in the mood for something genuinely different and can cope with taking your time and luxuriating in a vibe, this might be worth a watch. If you’re interested in any aspect of filmmaking yourself, this is essential viewing: it’s an impressive demonstration of how much can be accomplished with so little.
You can follow Moviehooker on the socials listed below. Make sure to check back soon for more news, reviews, interviews, and TV and movie lists. As always, thanks for reading.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube
