Perfect Days
BUY AT:
See more details, packaging, or compare
Synopsis
A perfect song that hits at just the right moment, the play of sunlight through leaves, a fleeting moment of human connection in a vast metropolis: the wonders of everyday life come into breathtaking focus in this profoundly moving film by Wim Wenders. In a radiant, Cannes-award-winning performance of few words but extraordinary expressiveness, Koji Yakusho plays a public-toilet cleaner in Tokyo whose rich inner world is gradually revealed through his small exchanges with those around him and with the city itself. Channeling his idol Yasujiro Ozu, Wenders crafts a serenely minimalist ode to the miracle that is the here and now.
Picture 8/10
The Criterion Collection presents Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days in 2160p/24hz ultra high-definition with HDR on a triple-layer disc, sourced from a 4K master provided by Neon. The release also includes a standard Blu-ray disc featuring a 1080p high-definition presentation of the film along with all the special features.
While the 4K presentation may be a bit underwhelming, it still holds up well. Shot in 4K digital, the film exhibits impressive detail levels, maintaining a generally clean image throughout. The wide color spectrum afforded by HDR is particularly notable, enhancing a range of hues—blues, reds, violets, and more—while delivering clean black levels and a broad range in the shadows. Though ultimately subtle much of the time in relation to brighter areas, the HDR application is most effective in key moments, such as the breathtaking shots of light filtering through tree foliage—a nod to the Japanese term komorebi, which was apparently the film’s original title. The black-and-white dream sequences, which are abstract interpretations of the protagonist’s experiences throughout the film, also stand out, with the grayscale in these scenes looking especially striking.
However, compression artifacts do make an appearance, whether in the form of minor noise in darker areas or blocky patterns around objects. While these issues aren’t severe, they are noticeable. It’s unclear whether the root cause lies in the encode or something inherent in the master provided by Neon, though it’s likely a combination of both.
Overall, despite its minor flaws, the presentation still looks fine, with the issues thankfully not being overly distracting.
Audio 8/10
Though the audio mix isn’t what I would call "aggressive," I was quite taken with the 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack. The dialogue, sparse as it is, comes through crisp and clear, while the ambient noise within sequences is well-mixed, though still front-heavy. The film features a laid-back musical soundtrack that sounds razor-sharp, with excellent range and a well-balanced mix throughout the environment, even to the rear speakers. The final moments, where Nina Simone’s "Feeling Good" plays over an extended shot, are especially teriffic, sounding rich and immersive.
Extras 6/10
The supplements, all found on the standard Blu-ray disc, begin with an exclusive new 26-minute interview with director Wim Wenders. He starts by sharing his long-standing fascination with and love for Japan, which began with his first visit in the 70s, before delving into the rather unorthodox origins of Perfect Days. Interestingly, Wenders was initially brought on board to document the redesign and renovation of Tokyo’s public toilets, part of “The Tokyo Toilet Project,” an initiative by a local non-profit. This project is explored further in a separate 9-minute interview with the non-profit’s founder, Koji Yanai.
It seems the film may have started as a documentary (perhaps a short one), but it eventually evolved into the fictional narrative we see today. Wenders became intrigued by the idea of following a character responsible for maintaining these public spaces, which led to the creation of the film’s introspective protagonist, Hirayama, played by Koji Yakusho. Wenders discusses this character in detail, revealing that Hirayama has a rich backstory only hinted at in the film. He also touches on the themes and concepts explored in the movie, including the Japanese concept of komorebi, which was apparently the film's original title and refers to how sunlight filters through the leaves of trees.
While both interviews are insightful, the real highlight may be the 14-minute interview with the film’s star, Koji Yakusho. He delves into his character’s background and shares his thoughts on acting in general, from the initial embarrassment of “pretending” to his admiration for performances in Ozu’s films, particularly those by Chishu Ryu. It’s a thoughtful, yet very laid-back and almost soothing discussion.
The disc also includes Wenders’ 8-minute short film Some Body Comes Into the Light, which is accompanied by a 4-minute introduction by the director. The short captures an interpretive dance performed by dancer and choreographer Min Tanaka (who appears as the homeless man in Perfect Days), set to the music of Jun Miyake. This dance was filmed for the dream sequences in Perfect Days, though only a few seconds were ultimately used. Wenders saw more potential in the material and assembled it into its own standalone film. Though I’m not entirely sure what it represents beyond what the film or Wenders suggests, it’s a visually striking piece, and it feels like a missed opportunity not to include it in 4K as well.
Rounding out the package is the film’s American trailer and an essay by Bilge Ebiri, which provides the only academic analysis here, with references to Wenders’ Tokyo-Ga. Given that Perfect Days is a newer film, the relatively sparse selection of supplements isn’t too surprising, but what’s included is both engaging and informative.
Closing
While the video and supplements leave some room for improvement, Criterion’s edition of Wenders’ film remains a solid release.
BUY AT:
