Perfect Days

2024 Oscar Awards

Best International Feature Nominee (Japan)

If this was a vlog, it would be titled "A day in the life" of the vlogger. This film about Hirayama, a 60 something year old public toilet cleaner's routinary life in Tokyo runs for 2 hours and 3 minutes. 

Minimal or hardly any dialogue, he is an old soul as he still listens to music using the old reliable cassette tape while driving to his job. He also uses an old analog camera, with film and takes random pictures of tall trees then he has them developed in a shop. He sorts out the good shots from the 'ugly' ones and neatly arranges them in metal storage boxes. 

In this day and age when technology has taken over our lives, it is simply refreshing to witness someone existing without the trappings of modern gadgets. Quite ironic because he lives and works in Tokyo, Japan where the latest versions/models of gadgets are manufactured.

Nothing much is revealed about Hirayama brilliantly portrayed by veteran actor Koji Yakusho. We don't know if he is single, married or divorced. Yet he seems pretty content with his simple, no frills, no drama existence. He exudes a cultured, intellectual vibe, judging from his choice of books (Faulkner, Patricia Highsmith) which he reads every night before sleeping in his tiny, yet well maintained apartment. His musical preference ranges from Otis Redding, Lou Reed to Van Morrison.

In his sleep, we are shown a visual of black and white abstract images which don't really say much about his background. Whether they are dreams or nightmares from his past is not articulated. It is only when his niece shows up at his apartment and stays with him for a few days that we more or less get a glimpse of his past life. When he starts crying after his estranged sister picks up her daughter, we understand his heartbreak but then there is no turning back.

Honestly, 2 hours is a tad too long for a movie that wants us to believe we can subsist with the bare minimum. Renowned director Wim Wenders though succeeds in making Hirayama a well loved character. Towards the emotional ending, in an encounter with a random yet significant character there was even a hint of a possible romantic interlude for Hirayama. Or at least, I like to think so or maybe I am reading too much of it. Heh.

As for his raw, emotion-filled facial expression in the last scene (spoiler alert: actor Koji Yakusho's explanation) it is open for many interpretations. I believe that it comes from a grateful and happy place. Each morning when he opens his door, he looks up at the sky and the rustling leaves of the tall trees outside his modest place and smiles with a twinkle in this eyes. He is living his best life and we do wish him well.