Why Perfect Days is More Than Just a Film

I watched Perfect Days recently and it left me with a big smile on my face. It celebrates silence in a world that’s often very loud.

What really resonated with me was how the film addresses the difference between being alone and being lonely, something I’ve been reflecting on for a while now. In today’s world, it feels like everyone’s chasing recognition, seeking validation from external sources like social media and other people, or constantly planning their next big adventure (like climbing the Everest before they turn 30!). And don’t get me wrong, if a person genuinely wants to do all of that, it's perfectly fine. The issue arises when people are motivated by society’s idea of what’s “cool” or the pressure to fit a particular mold. Live your life on your own terms, free from societal judgement and pressure. Create your own story, where happiness isn’t measured by the world’s standards, but by the satisfaction of living authentically.

The film really makes you question the constant pressure to always do bigger, better things, to do something different, to always be “doing” instead of simply "living". Honestly, following a routine isn’t boring. Waking up early isn’t lame. Eating the same meal every day isn’t monotonous. Hirayama’s life beautifully reflects this. He finds contentment not in chasing external goals, but in embracing the simplicity within himself. He finds joy in the little things, the way he observes the world, the way he listens to music, the way he simply exists quietly and mindfully in every moment. I've realized that happiness isn’t about chasing external things, but about being at peace with what you already have and who you are.

The quiet beauty of Hirayama’s life, where every action is imbued with meaning, has inspired me to reconsider what I need in my own life. His routines, his mindfulness and his simple yet profound existence have made me want to strip away the unnecessary and focus on what truly matters.

I know, without a doubt, that this film will only grow in my heart as I revisit it. The second watch will be even more meaningful, knowing what to look for, what to appreciate. Koji Yakusho absolutely hits it out of the park with his performance. The man is a master. There’s so much going on in his eyes, so many emotions conveyed without a single word. Every look, every pause, speaks volumes.

Perfect Days stays with you. It makes you think. It forces you to reconsider how we measure success and happiness. We’re constantly told that we need to achieve something huge to be happy, that our worth is tied to external milestones. But in the end, it’s not about what the world tells you to achieve, it’s about how you feel within. And that, perhaps, is the lesson we all need, or the perspective we never knew we were missing.

Thank you, Wim Wenders, for creating this beautiful work. This film will stay with me for a long time.