Review of Madadayo (1993) by Brock B — 02 Jul 2011

The directorâ(TM)s last work, released in 1993 is much more contemplative. Four students seek to give back to a professor who taught them many lessons inside and outside the classroom. When the film begins, the students are young and the professor has recently retired. He loses his home in an air-raid so they decide to organize a banquet in his honour and build him and his wife a new house.

As the film progresses, the professor ages and the four students progress in the business world. Although the professor is older, he remains enthusiastic and cheerful, except during a brief period after his cat ran away. âMadadayoâ? means âNot Yet,â? a alluding to the youthful game of hide and seek and the final moment when the professor will be asked âReady?â? and will be prepared to say yes.

It is a slow film. Given how much Kursosawa inspired George Lucas, it is perhaps only fitting that he use a Yoda-like protagonist in his final film. Kurosawaâ(TM)s touch can be seen in some of the camera angles and the combination of humour and sadness. Vivaldiâ(TM)s Four Seasons (Spring) is used as the soundtrack and along with Kurosawaâ(TM)s hand it shows the passing of time over many years. The film adapts the writings of Hyakken Uchida and asks the questions âWhat do we contribute to others?â? and âHow can we thank those who have helped us?â?