Is The Glow of Sunset in Asuka: A Saga of Soga no Iruka Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2004)

📖 The Core Premise

The Glow of Sunset in Asuka: A Saga of Soga no Iruka returns to the screen in 2004, bringing a fresh narrative to the various genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In the late 630's in Asuka, Soga no Kuratsukuri, who was born the son and heir of the powerful minister Soga no Emishi, is now grown up and regarded as one of the best and brightest to manage the imperial government. He is studying hard at the T'ang Dynasty. This school is reserved for the sons of nobles and influential families such as Prince Karu, Ishikawamaro, Prince Yamasiro no Oe, Prince Furuhito and Nakatomi no Kamatari. They are earnestly studying Chinese thought and political doctrine in the hope of carrying out governmental reforms in Yamato. Among all the others, Kuratsukuri and Kamatari are regarded as excellent and treated with deference. However, Kuratsukuri is the heir of the head family of the Soga clan, whereas Kamatari was born into a family of rather lowly status. The family is in charge of affairs pertaining to the Shinto religion. The two men are naturally quite different in political standing, and Kamatari is secretly jealous of Kuratsukuri."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Nao Ayaki attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is The Glow of Sunset in Asuka: A Saga of Soga no Iruka worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, The Glow of Sunset in Asuka: A Saga of Soga no Iruka misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 100 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.