Sunday, 8 February 2004

Arts

Film: The Last Samurai

[Riverside Theatre]

We must be in the awards season if I considered watching a particular film to be a waste of time. I caught The Last Samurai so that I'd be better placed to predict the results of next Sunday's BAFTA awards. My mistake: it didn't receive a single nomination.

But is it any good as a film? Yes, it is. As with most films these days it's a little heavier on the gore than necessary (it'd be interesting to compare the body count here with that of Kill Bill). I'm also always very wary of films that are set at a pivotal moment in time: I don't know enough history to be able to discern whether the treatment is fair or not.

Putting those thoughts aside though, we've got a good story of clashing cultures and shifting loyalties. Tom Cruise is excellent despite a couple of slushy lines of dialogue towards the end of the film.

I was surprised to see Billy Connolly pop up, and delighted to see Timothy Spall playing a part so different to the tired taxi driver I saw him play last in All or Nothing.

The most outstanding actor though was Ken Wantanbe. And here at least the Oscar nominations got it right. Best supporting actor? Let's hope so.

Posted by pab at 21:08