Review of Madadayo (1993) by Bach P — 27 Jan 2008

Akira Kurosawa's final film, "Madadayo" sends the legendary director out with a quiet and heartfelt goodbye. The film begins with Hyakken Uchida's retirement as a German professor. It is obvious from the beginning that Uchida is no ordinary teacher, as his class stands and pays their respects.

As years pass, his students come and celebrate his birthday with a special party where they all ask "Maadha kai?", which means "Are you ready?". And each year he responds, "Madadayo!", "Not yet!".

There are little moments of happiness and sorrow in between, as he slowly comes to grip with his old age. He knows his end is coming, but he is defiant to the very end. In his early 80's, Kurosawa managed to make something unique and special once again, but at the same time, something personal and miraculous.

An eloquent farewell by a director who will be forever remember as one of the greatest filmmakers of not only Japan, but the world itself.