Review of Red Beard (1965) by Roberto A — 01 Sep 2007
One of Kurosawa's darker efforts, this film has many arresting scenes, punctuated by tragedy and exhaustion. This film is sometimes not easy to watch, but it's ultimately rewarding. Once again, Kurosawa visits the forgotten peasantry of samurai lore, this time from the vantage point of a struggling hospital and its overworked staff.
This film is filled with disturbing yet poetic sex-death imagery that must have been quite shocking in its day; it left me speechless. The film is fairly ahead of its time with its relentless yet compassionate portrayal of women oppressed.
The pace is occasionally undercut by needless melodrama, particularly with one pointless recollection of an abandoned husband. Some drippy contrivances break the film's grim spell. Otherwise, a superb, perhaps too long film guided by a hand you know is sure and true.
A must for the Kurosawa aficionado.
This review of Red Beard (1965) was written by Roberto A on 01 Sep 2007.
Red Beard has generally received very positive reviews.
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