I wasn’t initially sure if I would find this film appealing. The initial scenes unfold at a deliberate speed, but the story becomes increasingly engaging and packed with incidents as it continues. This isn't something you'd want to experience in a group; it's best viewed by yourself for full appreciation. The movie provides insight into the daily existence of someone who works cleaning toilets in Tokyo. It portray…

It's about a man existing between what has been and what is now. He’s discovered satisfaction and joy in being genuine to himself and appreciating an era when things unfolded more deliberately—a time when one’s value came from taking pride in their work, regardless of how unimportant it might seem to others. It's essentially a film about the experience of living. What resonated with me was its ability to pla…

Films that try too hard to convey a message can be disappointing, and that’s exactly what happened with writer-director Wim Wenders’ newest film. This character study centers on a middle-aged public toilet cleaner in Tokyo, portrayed by Koji Yakusho, and follows him through his nearly identical daily routine of work, reading, and taking photos of trees. While there are small variations from one day to the next, much …

It's hard to say what conditions are like elsewhere, but around here finding even basic public restrooms is a challenge, let alone something fancy! Fortunately, Tokyo benefits from having a conscientious and detail-oriented cleaner named "Hirayama" (played by Koji Yakusho), whose predictable schedule takes him from waking up, through his coffee, to cleaning various bathhouses, then reading, and back to bed again. Wit…

This film, a collaboration between Japan and Germany, comes from director Wim Wenders (known for Texas Paris and Wings of Desire), with the screenplay written by himself and Takuma Takashi. It received recognition at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, taking home awards for Best Actor and the Ecumenical Jury, and is also up for Academy Award consideration in the Best International Feature Film category—a choice I p…