I finally came around to seeing “Zatoichi”, another awe-inspiring piece of art by Japanese master Takeshi Kitano. And no, I don’t get paid for writing this, I mean it.
The story of a blind Samurai who plows his way through gangs of crooks is a simple story, but it transcends the limits of a traditional narration in every possible way. It’s a revenge tragedy, it’s a quest movie, it’s a story about outlaws and down-and-outs and it’s littered with comic relief and acting treasure.
I do understand people’s aversion to ultra-violent Japanese movies, and although “Zatoichi” doesn’t exactly hold back on blood and cut off limbs either, it’s still more poetic than most of the movies I have seen thus far. Actually, the only other movies which carry that much poetry are Kitano movies as well.
So, if you haven’t seen it yet, go and do that now. You won’t be disappointed.