Absolutely Perfect Days

The weekly sessions of our writers group are hugely enjoyable affairs. They are friendly and we are supportive of each others work, though they differ remarkably, and the discussion often takes surprising turns that regularly bring up a humorous twist. Then some of us retire to the bar for a “within the limit” toast before we wend our way home.

Recently one our number chipped in at the end of the meeting that he’d watched a film that, to him, was possibly one of the worst films he had ever seen. Set in Tokyo, a Japanese film, something about a recovering alcoholic, he thought, the rest of his family have the money. He forgot it’s name though it had been made by that German guy who made “Paris, Texas” yet his friend had fallen asleep during it. I began to grin because I recognised the description. I had watched it too the previous week.

“It’s called ‘Perfect Days’,” I said. 

“That’s it!” 

“Funny, I thought it was one of the best films I’d ever seen,” and we laughed and took some enjoyment from the fact that we had polar opposite views and different interpretations of the same film. (I don’t get the recovering alcoholic thing but I see how you can get there after my friend’s explanation.)

So, let me bring to your attention, either one of the best or one of the worst films you might ever see… “Perfect Days”

Hirayama is a cleaner of Tokyo’s public toilets whose daily alarm clock seems to be the lady who brings in the dawn by sweeping the pavement by his window. He rises to exactly the same routine, clean teeth, water spray his bonsai shoots, coffee from the machine, and makes his way to work where he takes pride in doing an important job. 

Such a simple life, perhaps, but Hirayama is alive to moments of joy in every day. Sunlight through the trees, a child waving, his fellow man. He is dedicated to these moments, his love of music (the film has a great soundtrack for those of a certain age), his love of reading and his love of photography. 

The film is directed by Wim Wenders – written by Wenders and Takuma Takasaki – and stars Kōji Yakusho who won Best Actor Award at the Cannes Film Festival 2023 for his mesmeric role as Hirayama.I found the film deeply moving and so affecting in its message that I have watched it twice in a couple of weeks, and will no doubt watch it again.

If ever anyone was to explain mindfulness to me then this would be it. Kōji Yakusho conveys it perfectly. He has the warmest smile as he drinks in life’s joyful moments. There is a serenity here that you’ll rarely find. ‘Slow burn’ doesn’t do it justice since there is nothing to burn, or even smoulder. But there is beauty. 

This is as far away from a Hollywood blockbuster that you can get and thank heaven someone is making films like this, otherwise we would all be thinking that only Captain Marvel can save the world and the unicorns will be fine. But if you do stay through it, stay for the beautiful arrangement of Lou Reed’s “Perfect Day” by Patrick Watson as the credits role. (I played it to Mrs. Monkey and we had tears of joy as she recalled this song being played at our wedding.)

You might hate “Perfect Days” … but I hope that you’ll love it.

(Images: Wikipedia) (Hirayama image: Mubi)