Perfect Days 2024 Movie Review Trailer

 Wim Wenders and writer-director Takuma Takasaki collaborate on a quirky, bittersweet, Zen character study set in Tokyo. The film finds its resonance in the final zoomed-in shot of the protagonist's face, oscillating between happiness and sadness, capturing a moment of deep introspection. 

Cinematographer Franz Lustig contributes stunning magic hour scenes, filmed within the square frame of “Academy,” adding visual depth to the narrative.

Director: Wim Wenders
Writers: Wim Wenders, Takuma Takasaki
Stars: Koji Yakusho, Tokio Emoto, Arisa Nakano

Koji Yakusho, known for his role in Shohei Imamura's “The Eel,” plays Hirayama, a middle-aged man who works as a toilet cleaner. Driving serenely from job to job in his pickup truck, he immerses himself in classic rock and pop tunes on old-school audio cassettes, including songs by Patti Smith, the Kinks, and Lou Reed, as the film's title implies. Despite the mundane nature of his job, Hirayama approaches each task with complete efficiency, maintaining a peaceful demeanor at all times.

Curiously, Hirayama's character remains enigmatic. His spartan apartment, filled with books, music cassettes and boxes of his photographs, suggests a complex inner life. The arrival of his brilliant niece and an encounter with his sister shed light on his past and his personal struggles, hinting at his departure from social expectations and perhaps past traumas.

“Perfect Days” exudes an ambient urban charm, anchored in Yakusho’s understated wisdom and presence. Wenders delicately unravels Hirayama's story, avoiding clear resolutions and allowing the narrative to develop organically. While the film's subdued tone may not appeal to all viewers, its nuanced portrait of Tokyo offers a refreshing departure from clichés. Despite its imperfections, “Perfect Days” remains an interesting exploration of introspection and acceptance.

Watch Perfect Days 2024 Movie Trailer