Review of Ikiru (1952) by John E — 22 Jun 2011

Any and all synonyms of profound and beautiful would fittingly describe this movie which tugs at every cerebral synapse and heartstring, often simultaneously. Shimura's character attempts to give his life some sort of meaning after atrophying his life's possibilities at a thankless, quotidian job in some government organization; an organization that is ironically faceless despite its many adjuncts and sub-groupings.

Although our protagonist does not have much to show when it comes to any nuclear connections with other people, he eventually finds comfort in the fact that he gave something back to other people, the first faceless thing he's done which has any real altruistic meaning.

Reeking of pathos, but skillfully avoiding crossing over into bathos, Shimura's character and his story of self-pity, self-indulgence and eventual selflessness is so very human, so empathetic. The movie is pure art: in the emotions it rouses out of its viewing audience, in its visual panache and stunning photography, in the maturity and great care with which the story is presented, and in its incredible ability to edify and inspire others to do their own bit of good in this world.