Review of Ikiru (1952) by J D — 10 Mar 2008
A movie about a man dying of cancer is not particularly unique, but it's what Kurosawa does in this one that makes it so brilliant. Takashi Shimura is wonderful as Watanabe, but it's the story structure itself that makes this film.
Not wanting to give too much away, the second half of the movie truly captures the meaning of the title "To live." We see how even a fairly lowly, powerless beaureaucrat can make his chosen profession, seemingly an insignificant one, into something bigger than him.
Inspiring because it looks at the changes that can be made by the common man with a common job, heartbreaking because the ending isn't as uplifting as one would like, but all too realistic. A brilliant film.
This review of Ikiru (1952) was written by J D on 10 Mar 2008.
Ikiru has generally received very positive reviews.
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