Perfect Days is a contemplative drama that finds the sublime in routine, celebrating the beauty of the simple life and the dignity of work.
Routine as the Main Character
The film follows Hirayama (Kōji Yakusho, winner of the Best Actor Award at Cannes), a middle-aged man who works as a cleaner in upscale public restrooms in Tokyo.
His life is marked by a daily, rigidly structured ritual: he wakes up, tends to his plants, drives his van listening to cassette tapes of rock and folk classics (The Velvet Underground, Patti Smith, Nina Simone), cleans the restrooms with almost ritualistic dedication, and, at the end of the day, dedicates himself to his passions: reading and photographing trees.
Wenders transforms this repetition into poetry, showing that happiness resides in the intention and presence dedicated to each moment. Hirayama's routine is not a prison, but a choice that allows him peace.
Themes and Style
The Beauty of Simple: The film is a powerful reminder that true joy often lies in small acts and genuine human connections. It is seen as "motivational" without being forced, teaching through the protagonist's silent example.
Mystery and the Past: Unexpected encounters—such as the arrival of Hirayama's niece or sister—slowly disrupt his routine, forcing him to reconnect with a past he has clearly left behind. The film is subtle and doesn't provide definitive answers as to why he abandoned a seemingly more affluent life, leaving the interpretation to the viewer.
Dialogue with Ozu: Wenders's work is widely praised for its reverence for Japanese cinematic masters, especially Yasujirō Ozu, in the way he observes and appreciates Japanese daily life with tenderness and precision.
Acting and Silence: Kōji Yakusho's performance is the film's driving force. His performance is full of subtlety and depth, conveying a serenity that conceals mysteries. He uses bodywork and expressiveness to provide answers in the absence of words.
Critic's Conclusion
Perfect Days is considered by most critics to be a masterpiece and one of the most unforgettable films of the year. It's a "zen" film that invites audiences to shift their perspective on work, loneliness, and the search for meaning in modern life, showing that "simple solves everything." The ending, in particular, is often cited as one of the most moving and beautiful moments of the season.
It's a film that celebrates the "now" and the ability to find beauty even in the cleanliness of a public restroom.
Routine as the Main Character
The film follows Hirayama (Kōji Yakusho, winner of the Best Actor Award at Cannes), a middle-aged man who works as a cleaner in upscale public restrooms in Tokyo.
His life is marked by a daily, rigidly structured ritual: he wakes up, tends to his plants, drives his van listening to cassette tapes of rock and folk classics (The Velvet Underground, Patti Smith, Nina Simone), cleans the restrooms with almost ritualistic dedication, and, at the end of the day, dedicates himself to his passions: reading and photographing trees.
Wenders transforms this repetition into poetry, showing that happiness resides in the intention and presence dedicated to each moment. Hirayama's routine is not a prison, but a choice that allows him peace.
Themes and Style
The Beauty of Simple: The film is a powerful reminder that true joy often lies in small acts and genuine human connections. It is seen as "motivational" without being forced, teaching through the protagonist's silent example.
Mystery and the Past: Unexpected encounters—such as the arrival of Hirayama's niece or sister—slowly disrupt his routine, forcing him to reconnect with a past he has clearly left behind. The film is subtle and doesn't provide definitive answers as to why he abandoned a seemingly more affluent life, leaving the interpretation to the viewer.
Dialogue with Ozu: Wenders's work is widely praised for its reverence for Japanese cinematic masters, especially Yasujirō Ozu, in the way he observes and appreciates Japanese daily life with tenderness and precision.
Acting and Silence: Kōji Yakusho's performance is the film's driving force. His performance is full of subtlety and depth, conveying a serenity that conceals mysteries. He uses bodywork and expressiveness to provide answers in the absence of words.
Critic's Conclusion
Perfect Days is considered by most critics to be a masterpiece and one of the most unforgettable films of the year. It's a "zen" film that invites audiences to shift their perspective on work, loneliness, and the search for meaning in modern life, showing that "simple solves everything." The ending, in particular, is often cited as one of the most moving and beautiful moments of the season.
It's a film that celebrates the "now" and the ability to find beauty even in the cleanliness of a public restroom.
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