Movie Review: Love And Honor

Tradition is big in Japan. Being a samurai can be a taxing experience. Our hero(?) is a simple, low caste samurai who forms part of a tasting team for the lord of the manor. Things seem to be going good for charismatic Shinnojo Mimura who has a fairly decent life. Married to the beautiful Kayo the pair even have a household servant, an elderly chap by the name of Tokuhei. He doesn’t say much but things become just a touch complicated when a food sampling goes astray.
We’ve all experienced bad meals only in the case of Mimura things turn downright deadly. Left blind over a food mix-up the handsome warrior now faces the ordeal of being an outcast among his peers. Pressure builds on his home life as being a soldier without sight leads to a host of difficulties. Fanning those flames is the ability, or lack thereof, of eking out an existence. We all know how hard it can be when you lose a job and Mimura’s efforts at survival are nothing short of miraculous.
Prepare to be immersed deep into Japanese tradition and culture as this beautifully shot two hour film looks at a host of Japanese traditions and cultures. Simplicity collides with complicated emotions as a family divide hurls us into an unforgettable quest for revenge and redemption.
Strong work from Takuya Kimura (Howl’s Moving Castle) as the blind samurai pulls you in while love interest Kayo, played by first time actress Rei Dan further enthralls onlookers.