MovieChat Forums > Saya-zamurai (2011) Discussion > Someone shed some informed light on the ...

Someone shed some informed light on the ending of the film? (SPOILERS)

posted 10 years ago by RagingR2
3 replies | jump to latest

Can someone more accustomed to Asian culture/cinema than I am, shed some informed light (insight) into the ending of the film? Because I thought it was a funny and beautiful movie, and I want to appreciate it even more.

But as it stands, unfortunately the film left me feeling a 'stupid western film watcher' by the last 15 minutes. The way the story ended, I got the feeling that somehow I "didn't get it" or something. Because I am not enough accustomed to Asian cinema somehow I missed something maybe? SPOILERS:I felt seriously disappointed that he chose to kill himself; but then I felt guilty for longing for the oh-so-typical (Hollywood-esque?) happy ending, without really understanding why. Without really understanding why I should make myself feel guilty for this, because obviously I must have missed the lesson/conclusion that makes this film's ending satisfying without it being "happy"? Or maybe it is just just that I am too accustomed to happy endings... Anyway, it would be great if someone could shed some light on what I'm missing? Because I loved this movie a lot and I want to understad/appreciate all of it (including the ending) enough to justify the high rating like an 8 or a 9 or something that I want to give this film on IMDb.

I really loved the humor and I was blown away by the film's visual style.
I liked all the (in my opinion) typical Japanese fairy tale-stereotypes like the grumpy old general declaring seppuku, the three assassin's constantly voicing the thoughts of the spectators, the two guards constantly quibling with each other and the funny 'handful' young girl (what is it that Japan has with little girls?).

And I'm sure I'm not the only one who noticed the hyper-polished visual style? The perfect costumes and haircuts where (even by Japanese standards) every little piece of cloth was in the right place, the 'museum piece'-like buildings, the minimal and controlled or even completely absent movement of the camera and the minute attention for 'composition'. It all reminded me of a Quentin Tarantino movie (is the first comparison that comes to my mind; sorry if it offends anyone but I mean it as a compliment), where every single shot is like a painting where the composition and every little detail are perfectly in balance.
I mean, you could frame a still shot from every shot in the movie and display them on the wall like beautiful photographs. The combination of the 'stereotypical' characters and the hyper-stylized visual style also reminded me a lot of comic books or an opera or musical (the good kind).

[–] jtdeclercq 10 years ago

Amazing, I went here to post something almost similar to what you were looking for. Adequately put, and I totally share your thoughts and feelings.

I went through this unusual film with a feeling of astonishment. Surprised that cinema can come up with something as surprisingly original as this. And like you, I was confused by the ending. In the line of things, one would expect a 'good' outcome, but it went totally topsy-turvy and left me not only confused but also a bit angry, because I so desperately wanted this to end as expected. And slightly pissed off because it didn't. I don't care if this is a spoiler or not, it seems nobody cares to come here to this board to discuss the movie, so why should I care about spoilers.

Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts, they were mine to a par.

[–] yozorkaz 10 years ago

Yes, the ending was surprising but understandable.
After all, he commited seppuku, because he wanted to die as a honorable warrior and not as a clown. What we all experienced as comedic was a fight for him.

[–] Firebender17 9 years ago

To repeat the above post, he didn't live his live like a samurai but he chose to die like one.

For a samurai, honor was everything. His daughter's voice over in those moments before the seppuku was reiterating that he had lost his honor and was compounding his shame by being an clown. It was clear that he was going to be pardoned no matter what happened, but would that really restore his honor?

And the title refers to his empty scabbard, his refusal to fight (aka abandoning his clan, the ultimate crime in samurai culture). Thus, the moment when he calls hold so that he can put the blade into the scabbard is extremely meaningful and symbolic; he has regained his honor as a samurai.

When you view this movie through the lens of samurai culture, the ending is very powerful and moving. I usually prefer traditional happy endings but this one was beautiful. And I interpreted the very ending, with his shrine still clearly visited, as him becoming a legend that endured through the ages.

I don't see the way you do. I release a sonic wave from my mouth.