Studio: Criterion
Release Date: 7/16/2024
Rating: PG
Film Grade: B
The Story: Middle-aged Hirayama is one of the workers for The Tokyo Toilet, keeping each location immaculately clean with his keen eyes and skillful hands. His off days are spent looking after himself and taking care of other routine tasks.
My Take: Yes, the story is that just that simple, but not simplistic. The viewer will join him as he goes through his unwavering daily schedule, punctuated by a few minor disruptions. This is primarily a character study, with Hirayama presented as an enlightening exception to the world around him. While others are absorbed with the frivolous distractions of modern life, he takes pleasure in much simpler things. It’s printed books, cassettes filled with songs from the 60s and 70s, an old film camera, and the natural world found in the oasis of a public park that offer him respite from the world.
The dawn of each day brings him joy as he steps out from his sparsely filled home. Along the way, he catches the details that most of us overlook. This is in contrast to the vast majority of people living in his midst. And that’s really the theme of this film, offering us insight into the little things that could be bringing us joy but that we somehow manage to overlook in our own daily activities. While watching it, I was reminded of the two cleaning ladies that keep our offices up to snuff each day. Like Hirayama, they are always in the cheeriest of moods. Perhaps they share his same perspective?
As directed by Wim Wenders, Koji Yakusho’s portrayal of Hirayama is a masterclass in showing the internal process of a character using minimal words. The look of contentment and satisfaction relayed to the audience is made clear in almost every scene through his facial expression and actions, not relying on dialog. He’s a man of indomitable contentment in an often cold and distant world. It’s easy to see why he won as Best Actor for 2023 at Cannes, with his performance cutting past any cultural or language boundaries.
The rest of the cast (less one) is presented in stark contrast, none more so than coworker Takashi, played by an animated Tokio Emoto. Each of the supporting cast is used to show a different aspect of Hirayama’s character. It’s an effective technique.
Visuals: The 1.33:1 aspect ratio consists of many handheld shots, contributing to an almost documentary feel. It also increases the audience’s intimacy with Hirayama’s internal thoughts and feelings. Short, abstract, black and white vignettes are placed between days, representing Hirayama’s dreams. It’s a good use of various styles, and it wasn’t long before I ignored the sidebars on my screen and became absorbed in the story instead. The film presents a number of disparate urban environments, giving it an almost travelogue feel.
(Thankfully, the movie does not focus on the more visceral aspects of cleaning bathrooms, most of which are presented in a clean and non-distracting way.)
Audio: Music plays a big part in the story, with the score filled with pop and rock music from an earlier era. Scenes will start with the sound coming from Hirayama’s vehicle or boombox and slowly transition to just the song itself. The result is oddly emotional at times, for no tangible reason. Sound is used in other ways as well, often helping to pace and regulate Hirayama’s days. Again, nothing technically amazing, but supportive to the story.
Special Features: Like most Criterion releases, this disc has some meaningful extras. The interview with Yakusho was a standout to me, offering some real insight and depth to both the story and his acting methods that is uncommon in so many of the typical featurettes.
- New interview with Wenders
- Interview with actor Koji Yakusho
- Interview with producer Koji Yanai, founder of the Tokyo Toilet project
- Some Body Comes into the Light (2023), a short by Wenders, featuring a new introduction by the director
- Trailer
- A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri
Final Verdict: It’s tough to describe this movie without making it sound like a complete bore, but it captured and held our attention throughout. Each scene left us wondering what might happen next. There are no ninjas, the yakuza don’t shoot up the city, and there are no ghosts involved. It’s a small, quiet movie; one that needs to be watched when in the right mood. That means it’s not going to be to everyone’s taste.
It does offer multiple themes for introspection and reflection. The audience is invited to discover the simple moments of joy shown throughout, just as Hirayama lives them in his everyday life. Whether the viewers will be able to find them in their own lives will be left up to them. For years now I’ve been trying to find and appreciate those same moments of happiness in the everyday, so it resonated with me in a way that it may not with others.
There’s a translated Japanese saying at the end of the film that captures some of the essence of the movie. I’ve been wondering if it would have been better served by placing it at the opening and would be curious if anyone else has a similar feeling.
Fun Fact: The Tokyo Toilet is a real thing, and this movie was developed in conjunction with it. There are 17 unique spots for the public to visit, and they’re especially prideful in their pristine conditions.
My Review System:JVC DLA-RS3100 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
Elite Screens Sable Frame B2 117” Width with Infinitely Variable Height
Monolith by Monoprice HTP-1 16 Channel Processor with Dirac Live
Monolith by Monoprice 7x200 Watts Amp
Monolith by Monoprice 3x200 Watts + 6x100 Watts Amp
JBL Studio 590 for Left, Center, Right, Wides, and Rears
JBL Studio 580 for Side Surrounds
JBL Studio SCS 8 for Tops
JTR Captivator 1400 Subwoofer X 4
Panasonic DP-UB420 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
Oppo BDP-93
NVIDIA Shield Android TV - 4K
Xbox One X
HTPC Running madVR (work in progress)
Remote: URC MX-780
Mini DSP 2X4 HD controlling all subwoofers
APC S15 Power Conditioner with Battery Backup
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