Perfect Days (2023) is the title of Wim Wender’s (Paris, Texas) newest film, which has entered the illustrious Criterion Collection, but, at the same time, it almost perfectly describes the ambiance and sentiments of the movie, as well. Perfection is something that is different for every single individual, but there is something so charming and evanescent about what Wenders does with Perfect Days that creates a world for the audience to get lost in and, with a minimalist approach to dialogue, there is something exceptional and transcendent about what unfolds in slightly over two hours.
Koji Yakusho as Hirayama in PERFECT DAYS. Photo courtesy of The Criterion Collection.
The film almost solely focuses on Hirayama (Koji Yakusho, who took home the best actor prize at Cannes in 2023), a toilet cleaner in Tokyo. It’s a job that sounds like the exact opposite of what the title suggests, but instead of hating everyday life and being rather miserable with his job of, quite literally cleaning toilets, he finds happiness in the smaller things in life and the connections he makes with people, the moments he takes in, and the world he gets to digest while people almost nearly pass him without a second of thought. He has a routine he rather likes to follow: having a coffee, watering his plants, enjoying the skyline, and listening to some classic (not classical) music on tapes on his way to work. He enjoys taking photographs of the little things, the things that bring him joy, to capture those “perfect days.”
A scene from PERFECT DAYS. Photo courtesy of The Criterion Collection.
What makes Perfect Days such an excellent addition to the Criterion Closet is simply that the movie is so effortlessly flawless. Sure, it may be a little too idealistic and “perfect” for the more jaded viewer, but the picturesque beauty that lays in this delightful film will be hard not to have viewers fall in love with it. It’s heartbreaking, beautiful, touching, and mesmerizing, all lead by an absolute brilliant performance by Koji Yakusho (13 Assassins) who is so perfectly cast in this role that it’s hard not to just be so taken by the film and his presence on screen.
A scene from PERFECT DAYS. Photo courtesy of The Criterion Collection.
Overall, Criterion adding a new title to the Collection is still weird. Sure, they’ve done it before, and they’re doing it again with August and so forth entries, but the Collection, in my view is for films which have stood the test of time, that need the restoration process, that need that extra love and care. While Perfect Days is a “new” release, I don’t think a lot of people got their eyes on the movie when it came out. Adding it to the Criterion Collection gives a film, any film really, a level of prestige that argues it is worth your time and attention, so hopefully this gets more eyes on a film that is so beautifully told and made, even in its simplicity.
Koji Yakusho as Hirayama in PERFECT DAYS. Photo courtesy of The Criterion Collection.
The 4K UHD is a digital master that was approved by director Wim Wenders himself, with 5.1 surround sound and DTS-HD master audio for the soundtrack presenting the best way to view this film at home. This does appear to be the only current release in North America, as well, which means, unless you own a region free player and don’t want to own the Criterion for any reason, this is the only way to own the film. Thankfully the Criterion release is truly exceptional and no other release would most likely compare. The 4K disk also is presented in HDR and the special features are located solely on the Blu-ray, which include a wonderful interview with Wenders (the only new feature); along with two interviews, one with each with Koji Yakusho and producer Koji Yanai, founder of the Tokyo Toilet project; as well as Wim Wenders’s 2023 short some body comes into the light. Finishing off the Criterion bonuses is an essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri and a new cover by Michael Boland, truly bringing everything together for this release.
Perfect Days Special Features:
- 4K digital master, approved by director Wim Wenders, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- New interview with Wenders
- Interview with actor Koji Yakusho
- Interview with producer Koji Yanai, founder of the Tokyo Toilet project
- some body comes into the light (2023), a short by Wenders, featuring a new introduction by the director
- Trailer
- PLUS: An essay by film critic Bilge Ebiri
- New cover by Michael Boland
Available on 4K UHD Blu-ray Combo, Blu-ray, and DVD July 16th, 2024.
For more information, head to the official The Criterion Collection Perfect Days webpage.
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Categories: Home Release, Home Video, Recommendation, Reviews
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