Can’t express how much this film moved me when I watched it last night. I even woke up gentler this morning for work

One detail about Hirayama that is revealed to the viewer right from the beginning of the film is that he loves watering his plants with immense care and attention every morning after he wakes up. There seems to be a theme of plants and trees playing a quiet background role throughout the movie. Hirayama has no children, and yet he seems to pour an almost paternal instinct of nurturing onto his plants. We also see him very carefully and respectfully ask the head monk at a Buddhist temple for permission to transplant one of the plants from the temple garden into his own home to care for it. Based on the details about his past that we’re let into later in the story after his sister’s visit, it seemed to me that Hirayama himself is like a plant who chose to uproot itself and find new soil of its own in order to grow and thrive even if it entailed loneliness, hardship, and pain. Maybe that has something to do with his affinity towards plants and trees? Oh, and the theme of trees and growth also seems to extend to those shots of the skyscraper that you guys mentioned: that’s Tokyo Skytree, a broadcasting and observation tower in Tokyo, which became the tallest freestanding tower in the world in 2011 (another tree reference).

I love Koji Yakusho's expression by the ending of the movie. It gives you the impression that life is bittersweet-both painful and beautiful all at the same time.The only thing we can only do is to be grateful and find the silver lining in each moments.

Loooove this conversation. I watched Perfect Days yesterday and I just wanted to have a conversation with someone about it 😅 not much happens in the movie but we have so much to say. Beautiful movie.

Thank you for this review♥ No one else described this film as well as you guys. The film had a profound effect on me.

Really loved this film and haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since seeing it nearly a week ago. Came to KZfaq to listen to others’ thoughtful responses to this movie and was not disappointed by this lovely chat. Subscribed!

Been loooking for a film commentary channel on youtube for a while, really happy I found this one! Got to watch Perfect Days here in Rio Film Festival last november and it was deeply moving. I'm glad Wim didn't go for the usual orientalist tropes around the so called "japanese way of life", instead we get a very relatable working-class experience of routine. This celebration of the "next day" as this simultaneous blessing and penitance for Hirayama was so subtle and well done, his shadow game with that guy and his relation with the bar owner really hit home with the themes of silent struggle, something a lot of movies have a hard time with and end up over-dramatizing it. I think that at some point in life is not as much about overcoming it as it is about trying to make it better, even if just a bit.

I love the movie. I love its quietness and repetitiveness. Other people have called the character's routines "ritualistic," but the word "ritualistic" imparts an unintended spiritual meaning to these routines. Spirituality doesn't derive from routine but from simply being in the world and interacting with it. Several incidents disrupt his daily routine, and he's able to adjust to those changes and find peace. It's a movie I need to see again--in the same theater, on the same day of the week, at the same time, in the same seat, with the same lover.

Enjoyed your conversation on the movie! I interpret the last scene via my own emotions, I can relate to that feeling when you listen to a life-affirming song and suddenly tear. There are mixed emotions as you understand the complexity and contradictions of life still being happy to live and enjoy the beauty of it. It makes us so human

I love this film so much, even more so upon my second viewing. Thank you both for your wonderfully articulated review!

I recently came upon this masterpiece by accident. Such a beautiful and inspiring film that brings me to tears just thinking about it. I would have liked to hear more about the dream sequences and your interpretation of them. Incidentally, the Shinto religion - the nature religion - has a significant tradition of cleanliness. There was a lot of washing in this film. Every toiled he cleaned was a religious act. He was very conscientious with his little mirror. When he took that plant at the temple and the monk gave him a nod, it seemed to intentional to not be a clue to his background. Some great insights in your review. Thanks guys!

I really enjoyed this video and just subscribed! Great analysis

Art becomes so renowned, it judges you not you judge the art. Wenders - deep hidden emotion reveals in climax Film focussed on marinating his perspective, less about plot development. In fact the environment changes more than him Oh he could be crying at the end following conversation with guy. Laughing at life but also sad. Sequential

About the main character and his sister hugging... n meltdown after that. I think you just missed a subtle thing before that ... We never seen our main character eating chocolate ever in his whole routine ( maybe years gone by after he choosing this simple life). His relationship with father and sister gone bitter and as mentioned different worlds. So her sister still remembering and giving him his favourite chocolate... Its a subtle appreciation and love towards to her brother. Yes she couldn't initiate the hug or physical embrace. But ig this beautiful subtlety melted main character heart and hug eachother and embrace her.

This movie makes me cry just when I think about it again. So inspiring.

Paris Texas is my favorite film of all time. It's time for you to watch it again.

I just loved the way you explained this film.... thank you🥰

The niece asks him, “Isn’t that the Sky Tree?” (referring to the tall building), so a link to his photos of sky & tree!

When will you guys do an episode for Our Little Sister (Umimachi Diary)?

I'd say his arc is reaffirming his beliefs to himself, and allowing himself to question his beliefs and still finding value in them, that final shot is him reaffirming himself

Went yesterday, loved it but there were a couple talking, eating and going in and out of the screen, so i watched it being angry and annoyed 😠 will go again. Hopefully less a**holes that time.

it felt as if he admired that tower to me actually, i believe it was called the skytree and plays into all the trees

Yes, exactly this! And also, you can watch this movie in 2 different moods and it can be 2 different movies.

This is how i see myself during retirement.

6.8/10...Saw this tonight. It was just ok, was expecting more from a Wenders film. Its the Japanese version of Jarmusch's "Patterson" or Reichardts " Showing Up." Paris, Texas is a masterpiece but its one of those films that if it didn't hit you on first viewing, then it won't ever. I was completely moved by that film. Went in completely blind.

Wow This is such an insightful review. Call me a new subscriber Thanks 🙏🏻