Review of High and Low (1933) by Rob A — 20 Dec 2007

Don't you love a movie that's consistently great but surprises you with an even better ending? I can't think of a more perfect recipe for a movie. High and Low is a film-noir thriller. I suppose it's best compared as a combination of Chinatown and maybe Fargo.

It's got the mystery and nihilistic elements of Chinatown along with the kidnapping and fiscal worries from Fargo. The nihilism is painted brilliantly in scenes of depravity involving corporate greed, drug addictions, and simple class difference.

This isn't a political film; but I've never seen those elements, especially the last two, so dramatically and effectively portrayed in movies. But that's to be expected from Kurosawa. He cares about his films and doesn't slack in any aspect.

Everything you see looks authentic, there's no questions about it. And that goes throughout the entire 140-something minute long film. So, even the scenes other directors would deem as unimportant, he still puts in maximum effort.

Add that care to the exciting plot. It's structured oddly. I don't want to spoil it, so I won't. I'll say the whole movie is a mystery. The first part is filled with moral tension and ambiguity.

The second part is mostly a "mystery unfolding" kinda thing with lots of shots of nihilism; as well as an unusually painted world. You really get a feel for the universe the film is set in. Each part has it's own climax, but the most exciting and through-provoking part is the last three minutes; where no real action of climax is happening at all.

Like I said, oddly structured. The moral tension displayed in mostly the first half raises the questions, but in a 100% non-preachy non-political way, the value of money, the boundaries of responsibility, and the concept of morality in general.

It's not complicated, and it's not deep; but it's definitely a film to think about when it's finished. It's a very unique experience, I recommend "High and Low" to anyone who hasn't seen it.