Ikiru Movie Information

Movie Information

Overall Rank: 196

Average Rating: 3.3/4

# of Ratings: 83

Theatrical Release Date: 03/25/1952

Language: Japanese

Genre: Drama

MPAA Rating: NR

Director: Akira Kurosawa

Actors: Takashi Shimura, Shinichi Himori, Haruo Tanaka, Minoru Chiaki, Miki Odagiri, Bokuzen Hidari

Plot: A dedicated old man is an official in the Public Affair division. For the very first time in 30 years of service he skips work to check on a health condition. His distant relationship with his son, along with that of a waiter and also a colleague, will change his perception of life and priorities.

Quick Movie Reviews

Rating of
4/4

Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 02/03/2023

Trading the grandeur of his samurai epics for intimacy and introspection, Akira Kurosawa crafts a moving melodrama with a philosophical twinge.

Rating of
4/4

mitchellyoung - wrote on 09/04/2011

This is a subtle and somber film about growing older that has a gentle melancholy about it that only Kurosawa could impart.

Full Movie Reviews

Matthew Brady
Matthew Brady
Movie God

Rating of
4/4

Ikiru (To Live) - Movie Review

Matthew Brady - wrote on 10/07/2016

"How tragic that man can never realize how beautiful life is until he is face to face with death."

So after I watched the masterpiece "Seven Samurai" back in April, I couldn't wait to watch another Kurosawa movie. "Ikiru" was one of his movies that I wanted to watch next after hearing so much recommendation for it from The Criterion Collection selection. And the fact that this has been on my watch-list for quite awhile. Actually, it's been on there for over three years now and I finally got myself to watching it.

And what can I honestly say about this one.

This movie broke me, but surprisingly in the best ways.

Ikiru is a miserable and yet powerful film that has a hard hitting message. And to think that this movie was made in the 50's can have a deep impact on you and make …

Yojimbo
Yojimbo
Movie God

Rating of
3/4

"Ikiru" by Yojimbo

Yojimbo - wrote on 04/16/2012

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 …

Daniel Corleone
Daniel Corleone
Movie God

Rating of
4/4

Ikiru review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/16/2012

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. …

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