Movie Review- Perfect Days (2023)

Do you ever reflect on how beautiful it is to wake up, see your plants growing, water them, and sit quietly with a cup of tea or coffee while catching up on the news? You go to school or work each day, passing by the same buildings, yet those moments often go unnoticed. Have you felt the calm of gazing at the stars before sleep, or how familiar music eases your mind? Do you truly appreciate the quiet peace found in repeating these small, everyday rituals?

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I recently watched the very simple, slow-paced film "Perfect Days".

Perfect Days (2023), directed by Wim Wenders, follows Hirayama, a quiet, middle-aged man who works as a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo. Living a simple, highly ordered life, Hirayama finds contentment in small, everyday rituals: tending to his plants, listening to cassette tapes of classic rock, reading books before bed, and photographing trees with his old film camera. His days unfold with calm repetition, revealing a deep appreciation for routine, mindfulness, and the unnoticed beauty of ordinary moments. The film features very little dialogue, focusing instead on quietly observing the small moments and routines of everyday life.Hirayama remains almost entirely silent throughout the film, rarely speaking until the very end.

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As the film progresses, subtle disruptions enter Hirayama’s carefully balanced world through brief encounters with coworkers, strangers, and unexpected visits from people connected to his past. These interactions gently hint at a life once lived beyond his current simplicity, without ever fully explaining it. Rather than focusing on dramatic events, Perfect Days is a meditative portrait of solitude, dignity in labor, and the quiet joy of being present, ultimately suggesting that meaning can be found not in change or ambition, but in fully inhabiting each passing day.

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The movie quietly explores the dignity of labor by portraying Hirayama’s work as meaningful and honorable, showing how care and sincerity can transform even the most overlooked jobs into acts of pride. The film draws a gentle line between solitude and loneliness, presenting Hirayama’s alone-ness as a chosen, fulfilling state rather than an absence of connection. His strict daily routine becomes a form of freedom, offering stability, peace, and control in a world that often feels chaotic. Throughout the film, trees appear as a recurring symbol of continuity and growth, mirroring Hirayama’s inner life—rooted, steady, and quietly evolving—reminding us that growth does not always have to be loud or dramatic to be real.

Next time is next time. Now is now. (By Hirayama in the movie)

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I learned that living simply, maintaining discipline, and appreciating what we already have are essential. When things slip out of Hirayama’s control, he makes an effort but also allows events to unfold naturally, showing the importance of not being overly hard on oneself and accepting what cannot be controlled.

In a world of fleeting moments, find the beauty that lasts.

I loved the way the protagonist and the supporting characters are portrayed, along with the serene Japanese setting of trees, temples, water, and food that reinforces the film’s simple core theme. The movie feels deeply peaceful and calming, never overwhelming the mind. One of my favorite moments is when Hirayama’s coworker suggests selling his cassettes because they are authentic and could earn money, but he refuses, valuing them for the personal meaning they hold. It beautifully illustrates how some things we cherish are priceless and cannot be measured by money.

Hirayama clicking photos of trees with his old camera

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If you like relaxing movies this is definitely the one on your list. Until next time, embrace the beautiful repeated ordinary moments.