Review of High and Low (1963) by Nelson P — 27 Jul 2010
High and Low deals with Kurosawa's familiar themes: Justice, evil, good, glory, humanity and morality. It is a moral study, but it also shows the themes of good and evil on different layers, in the business interests as it does in the slum.
There truly are Heavens and Hells in our world. In the beginning Kurosawa challenges us to think what is the right thing for Gondo to do, Mr. Gondo gets the sympathy of the media and the sympathy of the audience.
But eventually we start to think who actually are the real victims. The way how Akira Kurosawa deals with humanity in this is perfect. He achieves to create new humane experiences for us. I think no one has made as many masterpieces as he has.
High and Low challenges us to observe and think. To look at our own morality. Can the world where some people live in heaven and some in hell be even close to justice? Would the police have helped Gondo as much if he was a middle-class worker?It studies the true nature of justice while showing the good and evil in our world.
It is a philosophical moral thrill ride that only Akira Kurosawa could take us on.
This review of High and Low (1963) was written by Nelson P on 27 Jul 2010.
High and Low has generally received very positive reviews.
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