025 The Last Samurai (2003)

It’s time to tackle another historical epic on #CruiseClub, and we’re heading to Japan in the 1870s to talk about Tom Cruise in The Last Samurai. Joining us on this journey back in time is our resident Japanese expert, Holly Gore. In this episode, we talk about whether or not this movie falls victim to the white savior syndrome, whether or not it “earns” its two-and-a-half hour runtime, and how much it feels like Far and Away. (How do you like my hat, Shannon?) We also heap praise upon praise at Ken Watanabe’s performance (the best part of The Last Samurai), admire the scale and grandeur of the film’s climactic battle scene, and talk about that time that Tom Cruise almost died while making this movie. You know, typical stuff.