Wim Wenders’ ‘Perfect Days’: A Captivating Exploration of Everyday Life in Tokyo

Follow the tranquil existence of Hirayama, a public toilet cleaner, as he finds joy in the mundane and embraces the world around him.

Discover the power of simplicity in this understated film that speaks volumes through Yakusho’s warm and soulful performance.

The Essence of ‘Perfect Days’: Yakusho’s Captivating Presence

In this beautifully understated movie, Hirayama steps out of his modest apartment every morning, looking up at the sky with a smile filled with gratitude.

Throughout Wenders’ quiet and mundane film, Hirayama speaks very little, and not much actually happens. Yet, Yakusho’s warm presence speaks volumes, showcasing the power of simplicity in a film where less truly means more.

Wenders’ Fascination with Troubled Loners

Wim Wenders, the 78-year-old German filmmaker, has always been drawn to troubled loners in his films. Think of Harry Dean Stanton’s weary wanderer in ‘Paris, Texas’ or Bruno Ganz’s terminally ill man in ‘The American Friend’.

‘Perfect Days’ evokes memories of Wenders’ film ‘Wings of Desire,’ where melancholic angels observed Cold War-era Berlin and spoke of bearing witness ‘day by day for eternity.’

While ‘Perfect Days’ lacks the supernatural element, its gaze is similarly attuned to the beauty and significance of everyday life.

Hirayama’s Tranquil Routine and Devotion

Hirayama, played by Kôji Yakusho, wakes up each morning, dons his blue sanitation jumpsuit, and carefully drapes a white towel around his neck.

As he drives through the elevated highways of Tokyo, he selects a cassette tape from a rack above the sun visor, immersing himself in the works of Patti Smith, Lou Reed, the Kinks, the Animals, or Nina Simone.

His days follow a strict routine but are filled with small variations. He takes exceptional care in his work as a public toilet cleaner, even using a small mirror to inspect the underside of toilet bowls.

During his lunch break, he captures the beauty of trees by taking photographs of the branches above him, with sunlight streaming through. He also nurtures tiny seedlings, carefully plucking them and adding them to his home nursery.

At night, he indulges in the works of Faulkner, finding solace and inspiration in literature.

The True Definition of a Custodian

Hirayama’s dedication to his job and his nurturing of plants reflect his embodiment of the true definition of a custodian.

Wenders was initially captivated by Tokyo’s exquisitely designed public toilets, which serve as a symbol of civic pride, just like Hirayama himself.

Through his life, work, plant nurturing, and cassette tape appreciation, Hirayama showcases the joy he finds in the mundane and the attention he devotes to the things he treasures.

A Film for Everyone: Connecting Through Simplicity

‘Perfect Days,’ nominated for Best International Film at the Oscars, may sound like an art house endeavor, but it is a film that anyone can connect with.

Wenders’ exploration of everyday life in Tokyo, brought to life by Yakusho’s soulful performance, transcends cultural boundaries.

The film’s universal themes of finding beauty in simplicity and embracing the world around us resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Whether you’re a cinephile or simply looking for a heartfelt and introspective film experience, ‘Perfect Days’ offers a captivating journey into the ordinary and the extraordinary.