Review of Ikiru (1952) by Steven C — 25 Jul 2008
A low level bureaucrat coming to terms with his impending death due to his stomach cancer. In lieu of that blackness, he decides to liveout his remaining days to bring happiness to the people he has failed to serve.
And in the end, he dies in his final act. But it's what his subordinates think that he still was that makes it the greater. He died at the location of his happiness. He did not die as the sad man he was viewed as, and through the accounts of others they find out that while they continued the banality of their work he became greater.
Takeshi Shimura is amazing as that low level figure in the film. He brings to you a great pathetic sadness to know that such a person lives like that. You pity him. But as he changes you see that he wants to live no matter what, even he knows that is limited.
It's a great piece of work to show that you can never be too late to change. To help, to continue with your will, and to live.
This review of Ikiru (1952) was written by Steven C on 25 Jul 2008.
Ikiru has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
