Review of Ikiru (1952) by Sebastian O — 05 Apr 2016

I'm still pretty unfamiliar with Akira Kurosawa's work as this is only my third film from the man.

We follow a dying man. He's had the same job for many years, no sick days and he lives a boring life. That's the thing - he never really lived. His son is not proud of him, he has never bought himself a drink and he is suddenly in a big life crisis, just months before his predicted death. He decides to change this but it's not an easy task, he has no experience in true living. This is a sad and very humane film - one of the most humane I have seen.

Great shots and I've seldom seen a man act as such a troubled man. Full of sorrow, self hate and feelings of failure.

The bureaucrat life is taking a bit much space og the last hour or so, even if that's where we get the nice flashbacks - almost like we do in "Wild Strawberries" even of they only goes weeks back and not decades, A simple but splendid story well told. Heartbreaking and a learning experience of what life really is about.

8.5 out of 10 swings.