Rating: Not Rated
Movie Release Date: October 9, 1952 (Japan) / March 25, 1956
DVD Release Date: October 6, 2003
Plot 411: A man who has lived a shadow of a life aims to create meaning during the remainder of his time on earth.
Review: Takashi Shimura is Kanji Watanabe, the section chief of the city's public affairs division. He has spent his life believing that he is sacrificing everything for the betterment of his son. However, when he finds out he has stomach cancer and only has a year to live, he reconsiders his life and accomplishments to find that he hasn't done anything of value. Wavering from utter dispair to confusion, denial to absolutely driven, Watanabe searches for a way to make his life meaningful during his remaining days. Even though this film is over 50 years old, all of its themes are still so relevant. What the hell does that say about our society (in general, not just in Japan)? This movie covers the ineptitude of government, the apathy of workers, the microcosm that each person lives in despite their physical nearness to others and the unlived life. It's telling that the real truths are divulged only after the characters are thoroughly drunk. Only then are they able to drop their inhibitions and admit their feelings. There's so much to say about each of these themes and director Akira Kurosawa manages to comment on them all. I enjoyed a lot of his movie-making techniques, such as the absolute stillness of Watanabe's world when he is totally consumed with his problems. There is no noise from his environment and no score to emphasize his emotion. Kurosawa just lets him be. Another technique I liked was how Kurosawa used things in the environment to frame the subject. The way in which Kurosawa moves the plot along is quite interesting as well. I think American films would've ended when the main character dies, but Kurosawa manages to keep the movie going and keep you interested in what's happening. In this film, the loose ends aren't tied up nicely upon Watanabe's death. There is still more story to tell.
Movie Release Date: October 9, 1952 (Japan) / March 25, 1956
DVD Release Date: October 6, 2003
Plot 411: A man who has lived a shadow of a life aims to create meaning during the remainder of his time on earth.
Review: Takashi Shimura is Kanji Watanabe, the section chief of the city's public affairs division. He has spent his life believing that he is sacrificing everything for the betterment of his son. However, when he finds out he has stomach cancer and only has a year to live, he reconsiders his life and accomplishments to find that he hasn't done anything of value. Wavering from utter dispair to confusion, denial to absolutely driven, Watanabe searches for a way to make his life meaningful during his remaining days. Even though this film is over 50 years old, all of its themes are still so relevant. What the hell does that say about our society (in general, not just in Japan)? This movie covers the ineptitude of government, the apathy of workers, the microcosm that each person lives in despite their physical nearness to others and the unlived life. It's telling that the real truths are divulged only after the characters are thoroughly drunk. Only then are they able to drop their inhibitions and admit their feelings. There's so much to say about each of these themes and director Akira Kurosawa manages to comment on them all. I enjoyed a lot of his movie-making techniques, such as the absolute stillness of Watanabe's world when he is totally consumed with his problems. There is no noise from his environment and no score to emphasize his emotion. Kurosawa just lets him be. Another technique I liked was how Kurosawa used things in the environment to frame the subject. The way in which Kurosawa moves the plot along is quite interesting as well. I think American films would've ended when the main character dies, but Kurosawa manages to keep the movie going and keep you interested in what's happening. In this film, the loose ends aren't tied up nicely upon Watanabe's death. There is still more story to tell.
Watch It: For a master class on storytelling and editing techniques.
Skip It: If you're really critical of the image quality. It's in black and white and could definitely use some cleaning up. I don't know if they can do that or not, but some portions of the film are extremely dark and it's hard to see the action on screen.
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