I watched this film twice. And it was surprising how my opinion changed after watching it the second time. After the first time, I came out feeling really sad and feeling a lot of sympathy for the lead character. However, I also noted that the film owed much of its style and storyline to Tasogare Seibei. After watching it the second time, I came out with a completely different opinion. Instead of feeling sympathy and understanding for the lead character, I found myself extremely confused. Here's why:
1. The lead character (who'll be called "Yoshimura" from now on) is a low-ranked samurai and yet he makes it into a high rank position in the Shinsengumi. How? I mean, if he was a good swordsman, he would surely have been high-ranked to begin with.
2. We learn quite early on that Yoshimura is a money-grubber who tries his best to get the best deal in order to support his family. And yet, he turns down the rebel offer of twice his allowance. Why? If his loyalty is to supporting his family, he would surely have taken the rebel's offer.
3. Supposing the answer to (2) is because he is a loyal servant to whoever he serves, then I'm utterly confused by his loyalty. First, he leaves his clan because he has to support his family. Ignoring the fact that he's betrayed his loyalty to his clan, we find him serving the Shinsengumi to the bitter end. When he crawls his way to Jiraemon Ono's base near the end, he begs to be allowed to return to Oshu. Again, I am confused by his loyalty since, as Ono points out, if he was a true samurai he would support the remainder of the Shinsengumi. So is Yoshimura a coward? This implies he is. Or he wants to see his family. Either way, this then asks the question: Why did he stand up to the Emperors's army if he was a coward or he wanted to see his family?? It just does not add up.
4. We see Yoshimura's character as a kindly family man. But what I found unbelievable was the way his character suddenly changes to one of cold ferocity. Sorry but I don't buy that at all.
I'm so glad that another reviewer commented on the film's over sentimentality because I completely agree with him. It seemed that the Director depended on this virtue to give the film its merit. After watching Tasogare Seibei for the second time, I was of the opinion that it was on the verge of over sentimentality as well but fortunately, it does not cross the line - but only by a whisker. Unfortunately, "When the last sword..." crosses the line by miles and fails to deliver a convincing storyline. The last 20-30 minutes was completely cringe-worthy and should have been cut out. I was practically laughing when the two boys were holding hands like two lovers reuniting after many years...
1. The lead character (who'll be called "Yoshimura" from now on) is a low-ranked samurai and yet he makes it into a high rank position in the Shinsengumi. How? I mean, if he was a good swordsman, he would surely have been high-ranked to begin with.
2. We learn quite early on that Yoshimura is a money-grubber who tries his best to get the best deal in order to support his family. And yet, he turns down the rebel offer of twice his allowance. Why? If his loyalty is to supporting his family, he would surely have taken the rebel's offer.
3. Supposing the answer to (2) is because he is a loyal servant to whoever he serves, then I'm utterly confused by his loyalty. First, he leaves his clan because he has to support his family. Ignoring the fact that he's betrayed his loyalty to his clan, we find him serving the Shinsengumi to the bitter end. When he crawls his way to Jiraemon Ono's base near the end, he begs to be allowed to return to Oshu. Again, I am confused by his loyalty since, as Ono points out, if he was a true samurai he would support the remainder of the Shinsengumi. So is Yoshimura a coward? This implies he is. Or he wants to see his family. Either way, this then asks the question: Why did he stand up to the Emperors's army if he was a coward or he wanted to see his family?? It just does not add up.
4. We see Yoshimura's character as a kindly family man. But what I found unbelievable was the way his character suddenly changes to one of cold ferocity. Sorry but I don't buy that at all.
I'm so glad that another reviewer commented on the film's over sentimentality because I completely agree with him. It seemed that the Director depended on this virtue to give the film its merit. After watching Tasogare Seibei for the second time, I was of the opinion that it was on the verge of over sentimentality as well but fortunately, it does not cross the line - but only by a whisker. Unfortunately, "When the last sword..." crosses the line by miles and fails to deliver a convincing storyline. The last 20-30 minutes was completely cringe-worthy and should have been cut out. I was practically laughing when the two boys were holding hands like two lovers reuniting after many years...