"Love and Honor": a well-crafted, low-impact samurai tale

Yoji Yamada's "Love and Honor" — completing the samurai trilogy that began with the Oscar-nominated "The Twilight Samurai" (2002) and "The Hidden Blade" (2004) — may disappoint anyone looking for fast-paced samurai action, but it's an exquisitely crafted melodrama, moving with stately grace toward an understated yet forceful quest for revenge.

Now 76 and still at the top of his game, Yamada subtly focuses on class divisions and fading tradition in the engrossing story of Shinnojo (Takuya Kimura), a proud samurai who's grown weary of his low-level post as a food-taster for the shogun lord of his clan. When he is blinded by a sampling of toxic, out-of-season shellfish, his devoted wife, Kayo (Rei Dan), seeks financial relief from a corrupt clan official who demands sexual favors in return. Outraged by this affront to his wounded pride, Shinnojo impulsively divorces Kayo and demands a sword fight with his skillful opponent.

The climactic confrontation is as brief as it is satisfying; with expert character development, first-class production values, flawless casting and a humanitarian perspective on the plight of the underdog, Yamada brings us to that moment — and to a well-earned and touching conclusion — through a careful accumulation of detail.

For anyone seeking respite from the mayhem of "Hancock" and "Hellboy II," this elegant love story offers an appealing, low-key summer alternative.

Jeff Shannon, special to The Seattle Times