Visual poetry & sound design: Wenders’ lens turns mundane settings into art. The 4:3 framing and attention to komorebi moments make city and nature blend beautifully.
Mindful pacing: The film’s unhurried tempo is its strength—not slow, but purposeful. It invites you to breathe with Hirayama and value the small gestures.
Authentic performance: Yakusho’s expressive silence is magnetic—conveying depth through a glance, a smile, or a sigh. Critics praise his “rich interior life… without leaning on dialogue”.
Emotional resonance: Whether through a stolen moment with his niece or a shared song in a restaurant, the film subtly reveals layers of joy, loss, and reconnection.
Soundtrack & analog charm: The cassette tape selections—from Patti Smith to Lou Reed—aren’t just nostalgia; they echo Hirayama’s soul and enrich his world.
Perfect Days is a quiet love letter to finding bliss in repetition, appreciating the fleeting light, and listening to life’s smallest rhythms. If you’re in the mood for meditative cinema that celebrates the ordinary—and for film that feels like it’s breathing with you—this is a film to savor. Just be ready for a gentler journey than a typical drama.
It’s visually poetic 🌿, sonically immersive 🎶, and profoundly touching if you let it in.
Curious to hear your thoughts once you watch it!
One Response
Great film – would highly recommend it!