Review of Rashomon (1950) by Kok Hoong F — 02 Sep 2012

Viewed on 22/7/04 (Thurs).

After that nearly four hours of Seven Samurai, I am all ready to watch this one at ... 88 minutes! And I always thought Akira's movies are lengthy.

While watching this 1950 movie, I remember those days as a stage actor. The film is very stagey and if ever there is an effort of bringing the film on stage, there is hardly anything will change in what we see on the screen.

But I like the dialogue. Now there is a thing about dialogue in some stage plays portraying similar emotions in the film. It tends to focus too much on the dramatic effect. Think Qiong Yao and you will know what I mean. Here the dialogue sounds like it but it is simple and easily brings out the emotions of the characters.

Now many people will know that this movie is basically about accounts of three parties involved in an abduction and possibly a rape. Their accounts don't tally at all and in fact to make matters complicated, there is actually a fourth account.

Now I am just amazed that a simple setting with three characters, a few props like a dagger, two swords and a rope can tell a story of four different variations.

In the end, it is rather pointless to debate who is telling the truth and who is not. The coda suggests that there is no whole truth and whole lie. We are made up of shades of them.

It also goes on to mull over a bigger thought - men will choose dishonesty, sometimes even to oneself, over faith in mankind. Still, the finale ends on a hopeful note.

Some movies are made to last forever. I think Akira's movies have this impact on many viewers.

Rating: A-.