Ichi

Japan

Lushly photographed, slowly paced variation on the blind swordsman trope which has been used many times in samurai films. This time the warrior is a woman...traveling the land searching for her father. She is played as a tragic figure, a victim who only fights when it becomes necessary...which, fortunately for the fans of this genre, comes frequently.

Film was fatally marred by the histrionic overacting endemic in films of this type. All characters other than the lead were absurd exaggerations, only vaguely resembling human beings. Too bad. The woman at the center of the story provided a calm core of stillness which was very effective in setting mood. If only...

But they didn't. Maybe some day.

3