04/16/2012 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

"Ikiru" by Yojimbo

Ikiru is Akira Kurosawa in full social commentary mode. It is the story of a civil servant who hasn't missed a day of work in 30 years, and when faced with the news that he is going to die, he realises that it was 30 years wasted. The engaging first half of the film is spent in the company of Takashi Shimura as he deals with the prospect of death, and tries to figure out exactly what it is that will make his last 6 months on Earth worthwhile. It's a touching portrait of a man so entrenched in the mundane he has no idea what's important anymore; a kind of anti-Lester Burnham. When he finally realises what he must do, we are introduced to his funeral, where the various factions within his life bicker and relive his last weeks, trying to dissect it to discover what had brought about such a p...

Rating of
3/4 

03/15/2012 (0 of 0 found this helpful)

Ikiru review

A rare picture that drives the viewer to think because of its thought provoking screenplay and interplay of several characters all impacted by a single individual’s transformation. The story of a competent and loyal Section Chief of the Public affairs named Watanabe. He and his son Mitsuo have a strained relationship and had realized his time wasted at work after having known of his stomach cancer. He spends time in a disco, arcade, drinking, Movie Theater and more. Usage of flashbacks and background characters were in full effect. Remarkable lines from the movie: Waiter – “Some die without ever once knowing what life is really like.” and “The greed to live is a virtue.” Watanabe - “If you’re going tomorrow, why not spend today..” “I can't afford to hate anyone. I don't have that ki...

Rating of
4/4