Review of Ikiru (1952) by Steven B — 13 Feb 2009

Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru was a tremendous achievement in moviemaking and storytelling. Over the years there have been many sentimental movies about living life to the fullest and making a difference. This one might be particularly inspiring to me since I too work in a government office like the main character. The main character, Watanabe, is a 30-year bureaucrat at a city public affairs office. He is the section chief of the office, but he appears like a "mummy" because he goes through the motions, rubber stamping paperwork all day. He has long since become jaded, giving up on attempting to make a difference in the endless passing the buck nature at the offices of the government. The voiceover states that doing nothing (i.e. not trying to be radical or make waves) is the best way to keep up your position.

After the introduction to the character there are a few main parts to the film: Watanabe's diagnosis of terminal cancer and subsequent depression . As part of the depression sequence, flashbacks of his life show us how his relationship with his son evolved into their alienation despite cohabitation. A young novelist meets him in a bar, hears his life story, and is so inspired that he treats Watanabe to a wild night on the town. Watanabe is in turn in inspired to live his life with determination- but he is unsure how until a young woman who had formerly worked in his office inspires him. Kurosawa skips what happens in the next five months, but we are told about it and shown flashbacks during the great funeral scene that encompasses the third act of the film. Though all acts of the film are tremendous, this is where Watanabe touches the most lives with realization of his impact and motivation over the final months. Also, at this point, the comment on government bureaucracy puts shame on the officials in the highest offices for taking all the credit when projects actually get done, when they may have contributed little- or even tried to derail it.

Though the black and white visual quality of this Japanese film is a little rough, the camera movement is very well done. The acting is also amazing, especially the contemplative expressions of Takashi Shimura as Watanabe, who is often shown in close-up.

The DVD that I saw was the Criterion Collection edition, which has a nice commentary track that discusses the story, technical aspects, and historical perspective. It helped me to appreciate that the film can be appreciated from multiple levels, though it is not essential to hear it to enjoy the movie. Different viewers will see one theme or another as the main one. It doesn't matter- it is a masterpiece any way you see it.