At River's Edge (2011) User Reviews

Remarkably Unremarkable (in a good way)

[FilmCuckoo · 7/10 · 12 September 2016]

Just finished watching "Ogawa no hotori" (At the River's Edge), and what I found astounding in this movie, is that it doesn't stand out in any way or form, making this a bit bland experience for a Japanese jidaigeki genre film. Having said that, we are assured from the beginning, that we are on a path which is well trodden and well covered in Japanese cinema. The acting, story, and directing is what you can only call as "well defined standard" - There are no real surprises regarding the plot, no actor or actress could be really described as going over their heads - everyone just seems to be doing what they're supposed to do, without fail. The sword fights aren't in any way remarkable or even particularly memorable, as opposed to some of the greatest examples of this genre. The soundtrack with pretty much standard score, isn't anything to feel shivers on your spine either.

However, on one account, this movie is truly enjoyable: Visually, this movie is perfect as any well photographed film could be, and Japan as a country, does offer some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole world, and the director Tetsuo Shinohara has used it exceptionally well. Having said all of the above, the movie isn't actually seriously bad in any way either, it just fails to impress, as some recent more serious jidaigeki films have, as for example a delightfully different "Ame Agaru" (After the Rain) by Takashi Koizumi or the simply wonderful and impressive remake of "Ichimei" (Hara-Kiri) by Takashi Miike. If you aren't too demanding from your period drama films, "At The River's Edge" is still enjoyable as good and decent entertainment.

Scenic take on a Samurai's morally challenging assignment

[maximkong · 6/10 · 16 September 2013]

This is a well-made Samurai piece and also the only "HD quality" movie presented in the Japanese Film Festival 2013 in GSC. The story is pretty simple and straightforward. It is a journey of a respected samurai (and his sidekick) who was given a morally challenging assignment from his Lord.

The pace was a tad too slow for me, but there is a reason for that. The Samurai here required ample time, to think and take things slowly, to consider every key point in history (hence the flash backs) to fully understand the meaning of his task. Which also meant balancing between his loyalty to his professional calling and the conflicts that involved family and friendship. In this respect, the movie did good job providing sufficient materials for the audience understanding.

Nevertheless, I believe the pace was just right for the mass audience to appreciate the great scenery, the masterful music composition (sounds to me that Hishashi was behind this), and the feelings each character had towards the consequences of the task.

Perhaps the biggest problem that prevented me from giving a 7 star (or above) is the acting performances, while good in general, is too theatrical, slow and too silent at times. It takes away more rational actions, especially by the female characters, that could add variety to the theme. The fact that women at that time was supposed to be submissive may as well be made redundant by the fact that the mother was a very outspoken character. However, the main character's wife seemed too calm for the fact that her loved ones may lose their lives. Tazu was another surprise towards the end of the film, knowing her personality, she accepted defeat (and a solution) too easily.