Kurosawa's Ikiru

[bigsleepj]

I saw this movie for the first time yesterday and it pretty much cemented my love for Akira Kurosawa further. He takes a story that any other director would have milked for tears and turn it literally into an inspiring, sentimental movie without losing an sense of realism. I have to say I was surprised at how well it was made and how good it was written.

Ikiru (1952) tells the story of Kanji Watanabe, a civil servant who has for 30 years worked hard at the same job, only to discover he has stomach cancer and might die in a few months. He begins to search for the meaning of life in the red light districts and clubs of Tokyo but these pleasures don't give him any satisfaction. Finally, through a grand gesture, he attempts to prove to himself that his life does have meaning. Heavy as it sounds, "Ikiru" is surprisingly easy to take even if the first half is rather depressing. It's also fun to see some of cast members from "Seven Samurai" drift into the story.

I recommend this movie to everyone. It should be easily available on video so it wont be hard to rent.