Unlike many cineasts, I was not fond of Kurosawa's early works. I think I even LEFT at one. Sorry. Since I've read this movie is different and doesn't contain the horror stuff that chased me away before, I luckily gave it a chance.
I love the movie's tempo: there is enough detail put on each of the characters. A traditional father figure as a bread winner is dissolving. Other traditional roles are vanishing as well. Surprisingly, we find the strongest, central figure, to be the youngest family member. Unlike quiet, pulled back and distant children, portrayed frequently in movies as innocent observers, accompanied by cheesy music, we face a surprisingly strong character, a decision maker and the only one who takes constructive actions to achieve something, in spite of many obstacles. Regardless of this child's effort, the entire family is shattered in a fairly short time into something that seems impossible to put back together to the viewer. Identity crisis, age crisis, economical crisis, marital crisis, a pile of broken bones and some ink to take the fingerprints at the police. Some death (I wonder if the glorification of a suicide is really necessary, therefore I don't give it a 10). Great drama and interesting humorous perspectives, discretely intertwined in a story. There is no doubt this is a masterpiece. Don't miss it, you won't regret seeing it!
I love the movie's tempo: there is enough detail put on each of the characters. A traditional father figure as a bread winner is dissolving. Other traditional roles are vanishing as well. Surprisingly, we find the strongest, central figure, to be the youngest family member. Unlike quiet, pulled back and distant children, portrayed frequently in movies as innocent observers, accompanied by cheesy music, we face a surprisingly strong character, a decision maker and the only one who takes constructive actions to achieve something, in spite of many obstacles. Regardless of this child's effort, the entire family is shattered in a fairly short time into something that seems impossible to put back together to the viewer. Identity crisis, age crisis, economical crisis, marital crisis, a pile of broken bones and some ink to take the fingerprints at the police. Some death (I wonder if the glorification of a suicide is really necessary, therefore I don't give it a 10). Great drama and interesting humorous perspectives, discretely intertwined in a story. There is no doubt this is a masterpiece. Don't miss it, you won't regret seeing it!