The most distinguishing and unique characteristic of America has always been its unparalleled cultural diversity. Hollywood has seized this aspect as an opportunity for movie concepts, accommodating both the growing number of foreigners who would get interested in American production, and Americans who would like know more about international cultures in an interesting and exciting way. “The Last Samurai” starring the popular actor ‘Tom Cruise,’ tells the story of an American soldier that finds himself in the middle of Japanese cultural feud, a touching story expanding of the hardships of modernization to the ancient sacred samurai society and how he learned to accommodate himself and learned mutual respect from the perspective of a very different and interesting culture. The American viewers were swayed by the ‘Tom Cruise’s’ relations, actions, and emotions, concepts that created a bridge into a unique civilization of perfection, purity, and self-control beyond all American known measures. Such complex emotions and ideals taught the public not only about Japanese traditions and customs, but also brought the best in that culture forward for the Americans to learn from it and by thus elevate the greatness of their unique culture.
“The film never really explains how or why this resolute, isolated samurai learned to speak English better than the emperor. His fluency doesn't quite make sense, though it gives the movie some needed mystique. It plays better than the inexorable pull of romance, drawing Taka and Algren together.” (Mitchell)
The integration and focus of culture in world cinema has helped viewers embrace diversity. The new concepts and ideals suggested in both these films cast away false preconceptions and provide audiences with an interesting foreign twist to the films they are accustomed to. Movies are highly effective in allowing the viewer to relate to their characters, so directors and filmmakers essentially hold the power to harmonize the people of the world, merely through introducing plots within different cultural contexts.
Although the sense of history in the U.S. is relatively limited compared to the rich heritage of other countries, Hollywood has seized this aspect as an opportunity for its movie concepts rather than as a drawback. With these roots from nearly every nation in the world, it seems only natural for the American film industry to rely on this rich fabric to broaden the country’s cultural scope.
Cinema is one of the most popular forms of entertainment, therefore Hollywood holds a greater influence on public opinion than one might realize. The globalization efforts of the Hollywood film industry have proven to have a powerful impact on the social standards of Americans. As international and political issues arise, filmmakers can, and often do, adjust the plotlines to shape the interpretation of the audience. Movies are the perfect media for expressing and conveying the everyday interactions of other societies, so films focused specifically about other cultures can subconsciously set the first impression or even mold preconceived ideas for many Americans. This power to sway American society must be handled cautiously and courteously, since the portrayal of other countries is typically heavily criticized as the films begin to be viewed overseas. Since plots commonly rely on controversial issues, the movie productions should not necessarily focus on shedding a positive light on every cultural aspect. However, filmmakers should constantly be aware of every nuance in their work and the impact it might have on a culture’s identity.
As the outlook of globalization in Hollywood films has sparked a new stimulating field for the film industry, there have recently been many successful Hollywood films released revolving around other nationalities. The limited historical diversity that America lacks seems to fuel the public’s interest in this new crop of foreign-based movies. Although the setting of the movies is primarily overseas, the protagonists are often American actors or characters and in turn retain the American culture to a certain degree. This creates a bridge between the viewer and the foreign culture that they might not be directly subject to. When watching these movies, the cultural gap seems to be often bonded by famous, familiar actors. The Last Samurai portrays the Japanese culture through the eyes of an American soldier, played by the popular actor Tom Cruise. American viewers are easily able to relate to the character, and can understand the Samurai lifestyle throughout the course of the film.
“…can't truly conceal his stardom. Cruise isn't a strong enough actor to vanish into the role -- his contemporary appeal burns through the historical veneer like a laser, yanking it into the present. Still, he has the kind of mega-starpower to drive audiences to the film in droves.” (Schulman)
The Darjeeling Limited, another film that applies to this archetype, also allows the American viewer to absorb the culture of another nation through the perspective of an outsider. The main characters are well-known American actors that become embedded in the everyday life of India, wearing traditional Indian dress and conforming to the lifestyles.
“Full of the kind of visual and musical detail for which Anderson is known, ‘The Darjeeling Limited’ isn't deep; its fey humor and obvious metaphors will surely provide ample fodder for Anderson's … has its charms, chief of which is watching three terrific actors evince with unforced ease the rewards and resentments of brotherhood.” (Hornaday)
“Mr. Anderson is clumsiest when he tries to confront intense emotion directly. The death of an Indian child, for instance, is less a dramatic crisis than an aesthetic opportunity, a chance for the brothers (and the filmmakers) to explore another aspect of the beauty and mystery of India.” (Scott)
These attempts by the director to provide the audience with an accurate portrayal of daily life can become slightly dramatic at times. The perfect balance between the plotline and the realistic qualities of the setting can be difficult to achieve. This tactic of over-emphasizing the country’s differences in lifestyles is often effective for the unknowing viewer.
“The Darjeeling Limited’ amounts finally to a high-end, high-toned tourist adventure. I don’t mean this dismissively; it would be hypocritical of me to deny the delights of luxury travel to faraway lands. And Mr. Anderson’s eye for local color — the red-orange-yellow end of the spectrum in particular — is meticulous and admiring.” (Scott)
In reference to those “bright colors,” there is a common example of how directors film certain traits of another culture in order to accent the distinct elements of other societies. Although Mr. Anderson may have remained consistent with the authentic costume throughout the film, his efforts may suit or contribute to the stereotypes of Indian culture. In a sense, the reality of many cultures is sacrificed and exaggerated in order to convince the audience and gain credibility.
With the production of Hollywood films about other countries and cultures, it seems obvious that the movies will still cling onto many of the typical features of American cinema. In both the The Last Samurai and The Darjeeling Limited, the main characters are all American. Although some of Hollywood’s movies are exclusively foreign, these two movies impose the blend of American culture. Filmmakers likely see this as more than just a “bridge,” but as an intriguing variation to the typical American movie. The plot may seem more interesting to an audience if the culture is neither exclusively foreign nor American. In The Darjeeling Limited, the three characters just face a conflict in an Indian setting, while the main character of The Last Samurai has a direct conflict and interaction with the Japanese.
Hollywood, the world’s largest film production center, has always been eager to broaden the cultural scope of the American public by releasing award winning movies on foreign cultures, such as these movies Last Samurai and The Darjeeling Limited. Such great approaches to different, yet interesting and enticing cultures, bring out the best of both American and international people in order to learn more about each other, the world, and better ways of communication. As long as directors and producers stand for globalization, the public will continue to see and even experience the world and its mysteries through action, drama, and all sorts of favored cinema.
Works Cited
Hornaday, Ann. “A Roadtrip to India on ‘The Darjeeling Limited.’” 5 Oct, 2007. Washington Post. <>
Mitchell, Elvis. “The Last Samurai Film Review; From the Wild West to the Honorable East.” 5 Dec, 2003. The New York Times.
Scott, A. O. “The Darjeeling Limited: Brothers, and Their Baggage, in India.” 28 Sept, 2007. The New York Times.
Shulman, Randy. “Battle Fatigue: The Last Samurai.” 11 Dec, 2003. MetroWeekly.< ak="767">
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