2.5 stars (out of 4)

Released 2014

This drama was a very pleasant watch, though the story was quite simple. Rather than being heavy on plot, it was more of a love letter to the dying art of kirare-yaku, actors who specialize in being cut by the sword and dying gracefully in historical-period filmmaking in Kyoto. There’s also an underlying theme about taking pride in and giving your all to what you do, no matter how insignificant it may seem in the grand scheme of things.

The film features real-life kirare-yaku Seizo Fukumoto, in his first starring role after decades of being killed onscreen, and martial artist Chihiro Yamamoto playing his student.

We attended the Toronto premiere at the JCCC last week. But there will be another chance to see it in this area: UZUMASA LIMELIGHT begins a limited run at Dundas Square Cineplex on December 5th.