Review of Ikiru (1952) by Kenneth B — 23 Jan 2012

I'm unable to put my finger on the exact problems that I had with Ikiru. Perhaps it is that the news which provides the catalyst for the plot comes near to the beginning. It therefore has no great impact, if I had known the character then it may have been more resonant.

Also there wouldn't have been the need for quite so many scenes of Kanji making up for lost time, which did grow tiresome. I understand that the emphasis is intended for events that come after Kanji is told about his illness, I just found it to be problematic.

Ikiru is competent, of course it is it's a Kurosawa film, but it didn't have the effect I was perhaps entitled to expect.