For me, what is most compelling here is the sheer PASSION that alex speaks of his love of this movie. I love it when someone is fully alive as they share the things that inspire them the most. If anything is worth aspiring to in life -this is one of them for me!
the film isn't about doing something to inspire others who wont to do likewise, it is about doing something in spite of such people resisting and social restraints
Watanabe wasn't out to inspire anyone and the film is not about doing something but about not doing something, for that is how things continue to be once Watanabe's colleagues have recovered from their saké drunkenness.
Finally saw this film. I wouldn't rate it as highly as Rashomon, Yojimbo, or Seven Samurai, but it's definitely great. And I totally agree, Takashi Shimura is a phenomenal actor with incredible range. To go from beta male bureaucrat in Ikiru to alpha male samurai in Seven Samurai is as versatile as it gets.
Agree entirely with Mr Cox, although I wouldn't say the film is pessimistic so much as satirical -- the wake is satirical comedy bordering on farce. And, of course, the sentimental, superficial, Spielbergesque reading of the novel is that it's about the hero Watanabe, which, of course, it's not. He's incidental to the story, for the story is about the civil service, or rather everyman -- how Watanabe was before his diagnosis so are and will his colleagues and the majority of people be for that is the nature of salaried work. That is why, again, the film is not at all particularly Japanese -- it could be set anywhere.
Strange this guy sees Ikiru as a pessimistic film, I found it deeply meaningful. It shows that we have a large hand in creating the meaning in our lives. For him, it was getting that park built. Whether that was lauded by others, or credit was given, or people followed in his footsteps is beside the point. Those are different measures for society, or other people. For Wattanabe, his meaning was fulfilled, and he died with purpose and meaning. May we all achieve that for ourselves, in whatever way that manifests.
Agreed also the movie ends with a shot of one of the bureaucrats he really did make a difference to watching the fruits of watanabe’s efforts and how much he improved the lives of all those children and families before he died. It’s about how far a simple act of goodwill can go and how it’s worth dedicating your life to and gives and is so fulfilling it empowers you to face down death with serenity.
I found this review of "Ikiru" to be concise and easy to understand. This is a great starting point for the new viewer to Kurosawa's films who are interested in something other than his wonderful period pieces. This too is my most cherished film that I've seen, by any Director.
Good review. I’ve spent my life in Japan. Good or bad, it is what it is. Ikiru is an honest portrayal of life here, we’ve just got rid of the paper now.
Ikiru is one of the world's treasures. The playground swing. Indelible.
Shimura’s face when he is thinking about his own mortality is haunting in the most beautiful way. It makes the swing set scene even more devastating.
For me, what is most compelling here is the sheer PASSION that alex speaks of his love of this movie. I love it when someone is fully alive as they share the things that inspire them the most. If anything is worth aspiring to in life -this is one of them for me!
the film isn't about doing something to inspire others who wont to do likewise, it is about doing something in spite of such people resisting and social restraints
Watanabe wasn't out to inspire anyone and the film is not about doing something but about not doing something, for that is how things continue to be once Watanabe's colleagues have recovered from their saké drunkenness.
It's my favorite film. I often think about it. What's more beautiful than turning a cesspool into a playground? Nothing
Finally saw this film. I wouldn't rate it as highly as Rashomon, Yojimbo, or Seven Samurai, but it's definitely great. And I totally agree, Takashi Shimura is a phenomenal actor with incredible range. To go from beta male bureaucrat in Ikiru to alpha male samurai in Seven Samurai is as versatile as it gets.
And Godzilla
I'm wondering if Ikiru is partly Don Quixote.
Agree entirely with Mr Cox, although I wouldn't say the film is pessimistic so much as satirical -- the wake is satirical comedy bordering on farce. And, of course, the sentimental, superficial, Spielbergesque reading of the novel is that it's about the hero Watanabe, which, of course, it's not. He's incidental to the story, for the story is about the civil service, or rather everyman -- how Watanabe was before his diagnosis so are and will his colleagues and the majority of people be for that is the nature of salaried work. That is why, again, the film is not at all particularly Japanese -- it could be set anywhere.
This guy doesn't understand kurosawa a bit. Specially with his individualism nonsense, if anybody agrees with alex i suggest you watch ikiru again.
Strange this guy sees Ikiru as a pessimistic film, I found it deeply meaningful. It shows that we have a large hand in creating the meaning in our lives. For him, it was getting that park built. Whether that was lauded by others, or credit was given, or people followed in his footsteps is beside the point. Those are different measures for society, or other people. For Wattanabe, his meaning was fulfilled, and he died with purpose and meaning. May we all achieve that for ourselves, in whatever way that manifests.
As Alex himself said, it's a lot about individualism and success/meaning is different for each and everyone
Agreed also the movie ends with a shot of one of the bureaucrats he really did make a difference to watching the fruits of watanabe’s efforts and how much he improved the lives of all those children and families before he died. It’s about how far a simple act of goodwill can go and how it’s worth dedicating your life to and gives and is so fulfilling it empowers you to face down death with serenity.
I found this review of "Ikiru" to be concise and easy to understand. This is a great starting point for the new viewer to Kurosawa's films who are interested in something other than his wonderful period pieces. This too is my most cherished film that I've seen, by any Director.
I liked Straw Dog very much as a contemporary movie. Ikuru is fantastic and eternal...I'm not disagreeing only making a comment.
Thank you for posting this.
Mr. Cox nails it. Well done, sir.
Good review. I’ve spent my life in Japan. Good or bad, it is what it is. Ikiru is an honest portrayal of life here, we’ve just got rid of the paper now.
Thanks for uploading this. Happy New Year.
What an incredible take!