I’ve always thought Asians were an interesting variety of people. Namely the Japanese. Their mannerisms, attention to detail, and endless creativity have held my attention for years now. They are the only people to recover from nuclear warfare and regular giant lizard attacks. Godzilla!!! Lol. They are a resilient people. Further, how they’ve managed to rise from literal ashes is nothing short of miraculous. Maybe this is what draws hundreds of my fellow weebs to the land of anime and bright Zordon-esque lights. However this week’s review is a nice change of pace, the slice-of-life film, Perfect Days is a brief snapshot into our protagonist, Hirayama’s life, and a quiet look at how their society functions. That being said let’s get it!

I’m not quite sure how old he is, but Hirayama is an older gentleman who relishes the simple pleasures of life. He works as a custodian and genuinely enjoys his work. In a word, his life is monotonous. Like clockwork, he rises from his bed, waters his plants, imbibes a can of coffee, jams to oldies but goldies on his way to work, photographs scenery, frequents public baths, and reads himself to sleep. Rinse and repeat. But my question is what led up to this lifestyle? This job? Was he once a salaryman who had a nervous break? Amid his crisis, he saw someone else happily cleaning other people’s shit (excuse my English) and thought I could do that? My guess is that after some falling out with his sister- she seemed surprised to discover he cleaned restrooms for a living- he fell into the job.
He is content and unashamed of his career path. He’s achieved something most people will never do, and I for one am jealous. Maybe it’s my negative coping methods rearing its ugly head, but I couldn’t stand to live like Hirayama for too long. The urge to try something new again would force me out. If ‘I don’t want peace I want problems always,’ were a person we’d be thick as thieves. But I’m working on that, so pray for me yeah? Anypoops, my guy’s alarm clock is the street sweeper who rises at some ungodly hour in the AM. Absolutely mad.

Side note: I wonder how he came into those Western tunes? How well does he speak English?

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to give this film. Sometimes movies don’t have to have a meaning at least I don’t think. This is the case for Perfect Days. It was alright if you like watching old Japanese men going through life enjoying the little things in life. I suppose the director, Wim Wenders, wanted me, the viewer, to appreciate the trials of a man slowly losing control of his daily routine. But so what? Life is hard, get a hard hat. Lol. No doubt I’ve committed sacrilegion and some hipster film critic would call me a philistine, uninitiated in the ways of art when I say I want my 2 hours and 4 minutes back. I want to be entertained. I want to laugh. Perfect Days is alright I guess, but not my cup of tea.
Anypoops, I give the film 3 out of 5 rose petals. Give me feedback please. What do you think of Perfect Days?