Review of High and Low (1963) by Joshua L — 06 Jul 2010
This film can be split into two parts: the first is an examination of a moral dilemma, the second is a police procedural with a liberal lathering of film noir styling. For once it was nice to see Toshiro Mifune not play a samurai.
Instead, he plays a millionaire businessman who has to pay the ransom for his chauffeur's son. Some beautiful, crafted images in the second half will particularly delight aficionados of B&W lighting and shot framing.
The ending is perfect as a film noir plot would have required, even if most of this film was not made with that aesthetic. One of the best Kurosawas. Wish he had made more plots set in the cities and rooted in modernity.
This review of High and Low (1963) was written by Joshua L on 06 Jul 2010.
High and Low has generally received very positive reviews.
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