Bushi no kondate

As someone that appreciates Japanese Culture and has a craving for feudal-era details.. I found this delightfully insightful!

I didn't know there were "Kitchen Samurai" in charge of serving meals to Daimyo and other important guests. I always thought something like that was completely relegated to woman. Cooking approaches are also something I'm interested in.

But this is a romance at its core, albeit quite weak.

It also has prominent elements of cooking and politics that drive the movie, but both are too diluted to stand out. All together make a dish that doesn't leave an impression. The script is too simplistic and safe, meaning the plot provides no uncertainty or tension.. and might as well be described as "executed in a straight line". These kind of soft stories are occasionally right. Still, Aya Ueto's supporting character is quite charming, even without having the spotlight on her. It's a shame stern and stoic male leads don't make for good partners. But romance in Japan was something else at the time.

It is very well made (production, cinematography, acting and even some songs that caught my attention), but is too generic to properly recommend to those not already interested.