The Quiet Brilliance of Perfect Days (2023)

This week's film recommendation is Perfect Days (2023) by German director Wim Wenders. Perfect Days is an exploration of stillness, a nod to the quiet moments, and a breath of fresh air in cinema. The film follows an everyday Japanese man, Hirayama, who goes about his life as a janitor in Shibuya. We follow him as he does his everyday routine, and as the film progresses, we learn more about his character when deviations from his routine arise. But that's it. There is no actual plot, and there is not much of a story arc; it's just life and stunning.

Perfect Days (2023)

Cinematography is always at the forefront of any slice-of-life film, and Wenders does not disappoint. Every shot feels calculated and necessary, and it backdrops the film perfectly. Each moment of his life feels interesting; Wenders turns the mundane into thought-provoking warm embraces. I could argue that Perfect Days does what it's supposed to do very well, almost too well, in the sense that when deviations or issues arise with his daily life, it leaves the viewer with true pain for Hirayama. The smallish drama arcs leave big impressions, which is rare for slow films like this.

My only gripe with this film is that it wasn't longer. Even with two hours at the end, I felt as if I wanted more—more of the same thing, more 'mundane' days, more quiet moments—not just in Hirayama's life, but in my own.

Stream Perfect Days on Apple TV, YouTube, or Hulu.

This is an excerpt from our August 1, 2024 newsletter. Love this recommendation? Discover more by subscribing to our newsletter here!