Review – 47 Ronin

47 Ronin

Lord Asano (Min Tanaka) is a proud and kindly daimyo who, while out on an expedition one day, comes across the half-Japanese child Kai (Keanu Reeves). Against the wishes of his head chamberlain Ōishi (Hiroyuki Sanada), Asano takes the boy under his wing, who, years later, grows to become a hermit-like servant to his samurai lords. But disaster strikes the kingdom when the rival lord Kira (Tadanobu Asano) contrives to have Asano dishonour himself in front of the Emperor, for which he must commit ritual suicide in order to clear his family name. Left leaderless and impoverished, Asano’s former samurai formulate a plan to enact revenge on Lord Kira and save the Japanese Empire from his dishonourable intentions.

We’re told, in the opening narration, that you can’t know Japan unless you know the tale of the Forty-Seven Ronin. But this film takes what is a story of moral duty and swaddles it in so many Hollywood tropes that it’s barely recognisable. In this retelling the driving theme of the plot – a matter of how to most honourably conduct oneself according with bushido tradition – quickly becomes, instead, a story of the underdogs trying to save the kingdom and rescue the princess from the evil lord. And so 47 Ronin falls at the first hurdle: despite its best efforts, this is not a faithful adaptation of one of Japan’s most treasured parables.

But luckily it doesn’t fall at every hurdle. The set pieces and period costumes are absolutely gorgeous, the cinematography is quietly beautiful, and there is an undercurrent of mysticism to this picture which is both subtle and entrancing. If I was bored with the plot, which bends too far trying to incorporate Reeves’s character, I would happily spend much more time with this film’s mythology. I was especially delighted with the inclusion of the pirate-like European traders: 47 Ronin turns the post-colonial lens on the Dejima trading post, and depicts its denizens as colourful and unruly savages wielding flintlock pistols. It’s not integral to the story, but it’s a nice touch.

Rick Genest as, literally, “Savage”

Another win is in the casting. Although this film seems at first glance like a Reeves vehicle, it prominently features a host of Japanese acting talent: Tanaka is wonderfully paternal as Lord Asano, Sanada is a strong second lead as Ōishi, Asano is playfully villainous as Lord Kira and Ko Shibasaki works admirably with what she’s given. Particularly memorable is Takato Yonemoto as one of the dishonoured samurai. We see him only for the middle of the film, but he brings a whole mess of charm and humour to his scenes and livens up what would otherwise be a relatively dull second act. And it’s a shame we don’t get him for longer, because without him 47 Ronin quickly becomes too serious for its own good as it drags towards its tired and predictable conclusion.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFEolcPGrlo&w=400]