Review of Dr. Akagi (1998) by Jeff B — 15 Jul 2011
This film has the basic materials to be very good indeed. 1945, Japan. Dr. Akagi on his mission to combat an epidemic of hepatitis; helped in that mission by an escaped POW; while he manages to resist the advances of a young sexpot.
Unfortunately, it doesn't resolve itself well at all. Not enough is made of the POW. Or the junkie-surgeon. Or the harlot-turned-nurse. There are more good characters here than our writer/director can handle.
Then comes the whale and bomb ending that just seems a confession of failure: "I don't know how to end this so let's just make it absurd." Someone called this a black comedy. Nonsense.
It's not a bit funny and that absurd ending doesn't convert what was all along a drama into a black comedy.
This review of Dr. Akagi (1998) was written by Jeff B on 15 Jul 2011.
Dr. Akagi has generally received positive reviews.
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