Rating: 
Summary: Carpe Diem
Review: "Ikiru"--roughly translated--means "to live" and concerns the existentialist struggles of one elderly man who is diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer and his eventual discovery of what the meaning of life truly is.Kurosawa veteran Takashi Shimura ("Rashomon", "The Seven Samurai") plays Kanji Watanabe, a miserly career bureaucrat who has risen to the rank of bureau chief of the Department of Public Affairs, although his only career accomplishment is having never missed a day in 30 years at his boring, meaningless job. His relationship with his co-workers is practically non-existent, and one of them even gives him the nickname "The Mummy." Watanabe's personal life isn't much better. His wife and mother of his son died many years ago and he never remarried. Furthermore, he is estranged from his son and daughter-in-law, as they--ignorant of his grave medical condition--only seem concerned with how much money he will leave them as an inheritance when he eventually dies. When given the death sentence by a local physician, Watanabe--understandably devastated--skips out on work and decides to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh that he had missed out on for so many years. He blows 50,000 yen in one night of drinking and carousing, and later seeks the platonic affection of a young ex-co-worker. Unsatisfied with these pursuits, he later becomes inspired to dedicate his live to improving the lives of others, as he bites the hand that feeds him by ceaselessly and tirelessly fights the entrenched, mind-numbing local bureaucracy to get a public park built for an impoverished neighborhood. The film's greatest strengths lay in Shimura's tender performance and its powerful message that life is too short and precious to waste away doing nothing and that one person--with enough will and dedication--can make a positive difference in a seemingly uncaring world. Watanabe only beings to live after he learns that he is about to die. Where he used to sleepwalk through life, shuffling papers, Watanabe now takes the time to appreciate life's simple pleasures such as the beauty of a sunset, or playing on a swingset on a snowy night. "Ikiru" is a call to action that is more moving and powerful than similar Hollywood fare such as "Dead Poets Society" because it does not concern a group of spotty-faced kids with their whole lives ahead of them, but an old man who deeply regrets wasting his own life. It commands the audience to take action to make a difference in the world, and sums up Plato's ethos "the unexamined life is not worth living." The film is also innovative in that its last 45 minutes occur at Watanabe's funeral, as drunken bureaucrats--in a moment of clarity--bemoan the drudgery of their own lives, mournfully recalling Watanabe's tireless efforts to build the park through flashbacks. It should be noted that "Ikiru" is quite different from the samurai epics that director Akira Kurosawa is so famous for. For the viewer looking for the thrilling epic battle scenes of medieval Japan, they should try "The Seven Samurai", "Yojimbo", or "Ran." Also, unlike those films, "Ikiru" is devoid of the shouting and yelling that seems to predominate Kurosawa's work. Perhaps because "Ikiru" is set in then-present day Japan (1952), the characters talk like everyday human beings, as opposed to dramatic ancient warriors. The film's biggest flaw would be its length. It clocks in at 143 minutes (that's 2 hours and 23 minutes if you're counting), and anyone raised on a diet of MTV and Jerry Bruckheimer will find the pacing to be a trial. While Kurosawa's editor could have cut some scenes out, the film's simple message is powerful and surprisingly uplifting considering that you spend 105 minutes watching a dying man, and the next 38 minutes at his funeral. "Ikiru" is a simple, quiet, powerful film that will cause you to examine or re-examine your own life, and show you that the greatest tragedy in life isn't dying, but not living.
Rating: 
Summary: Basic values of life brought into clear focus.
Review: This is a tear jerker of maximum proportions. It is not a film for the simple minded nor the shallow thinker. Although I didn't get to Japan in the early years after the War (I was too young), I did see a limited view of post-war Japan in 1957 (as a Submarine Sailor) and the poverty and life of "Old" Japan. But the story is not Japanese nor "dated" . . . it has to do with the God given gift of time and our responsibilities within that gift. As a Christian, I find no fault in the context of the Japanese thinking of death and responsibility. The story is extremely simple. The emotions are simple. The story is timeless. It is a masterpiece! . . . And it is extremely emotional for all of us who have observed the approach of death of a loved one. Be warned: This is not a "light" film, but it is well worth the price and and the time. You will never forget it. Robert B. Cushman
Cedar Crest, New Mexico
Rating: 
Summary: One man's life
Review: Slow moving philosphical piece concerning the last months of a bureacrat's life. Long after you think the movie should have ended, it keeps on coming. "It just..." drags along. The main problem with the movie is that it is too slow. The viewer, after a while just won't care about anyone in the movie, any more. The movie talks about the pointlessness of life, and in the end, seems like a pointless itself. A movie must never forget, it is supposed to entertain, as well as inform. Otherwise, the movie becomes a documentary. Every theme is over emphasized. Long after the viewer gets the point, the topic is brought up yet again. Added to the unpleasant-to-the-ear language, it makes the movie close to unbearable. In this particular style of movie, not understanding Japanese is very damaging. In Kurosawa's more reasonable movies, adventure, mixed with philosophy, makes the japanese more bearable. That said, the acting is excellent, and the main themes are timeless. This is worthy of your collection, as long as you know what you are getting into-a depressing, slow moving philosophical piece with absolutely no continuity of flow. For most, this is a rental, not a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent movie, but terrible transfer
Review: I should start by saying that I think Ikiru is the best movie I've ever seen, but I'll try to address some of the negatives. The story of Ikiru is that of a bureaucrat who upon learning he has stomach cancer begins a desperate search for meaning in his life. He tries family, liquor, and women, but eventually finds purpose in a cesspool that troubles a local community, and their attempts to have a playground built on the site. The story is absolutely compelling, and the intricate subtleties of Kurosawa's direction make this film very powerful, especially in the second half of the film, where Watanabe's (the protagonist) coworkers discuss his final few months at his wake. The acting is superb. Takashi Shimura gives a performance that is stand out. Ikiru is not a universally liked movie, for several reasons. The movie is black and white and has subtitles. The cuts and scene changes have a very old-fashioned feel to them (quite rightly... it's old. But this gives a lot of people trouble). The pacing of this movie is deliberate, and by that I mean slow. It is not quick or action-packed. It moves subtlely. While most all the reviews rave about it, I'd caution that this movie will not beat you over the head with its brilliance. It is a gentle story with subtle nuances, and often, the meaning is conveyed more in facial expressions and quiet moments than in anything said or done. That being said, I thought the transfer of this movie to DVD was terrible. It is my understanding that this was the best that could be done, which is a shame. Many feel this to be Kurosawa's best work, and to know that this terrible transfer is the best it can ever get, that's sad. Specifically, the vertical lines noted in previous reviews are definitely there, and definitely problematic. There is poor contrast, and it is often difficult to see the actors defined well at all. The bonus material on this DVD is so so. The commentary is certainly interesting, but the documentaries didn't thrill me too much. The main sell of this DVD is the movie itself. If this movie sounds like something you can sit through, you should watch it. It's a great movie. I really do think it's the best movie I've ever seen. But it's not for everyone. If you've already seen it and want to own it, this DVD set is fine, but it comes with the caveat that the quality of the transfer is not impressive.
Rating:
Summary: "To Live"
Review: This is is probably Kurosawa's greatest film. the films title couldn't be more appropriate, "to live" is it's translation. which sums up it's question "what does it mean to live life?". A man diagnosed with cancer realizes he has never truly lived life. he pursues the japanese night life in bars and dance clubs and eventualy in his hateful son but to no evail. he still feels empty, so he decides to make a difference. he works at a political office stamping papers. he makes plans for a playground and desperately tries to get them passed before it's too late. a fine performance for the legendary takshi shimura(seven samurai, rashomon, godzilla), and akira kurosawa's most moving and thought provoking films ever made.
Rating:
Summary: Top notch!
Review: This is probably my favorite Kurosawa film. And the film quality and packaging are so very excellent. I cannot recommend highly enough!
Rating:
Summary: perfect representative of why AK is so great
Review: Great film, Akira Kurosawa is at his best here. Everytime I watch it, i can't wipe the smile off my face for hours after ward. Just order it and watch it; you won't regret it...
Rating:
Summary: Touching Drama
Review: This is a touching drama which highligts the fact that we sometimes have to have the threat of losing things before we learn to appreciate them. It also shows how humans are creatures of habit and that they can be truly selfish...not willing to sacrifice or risk anything for the benefit of others. Nevertheless once in a while someone comes along who makes us think that the quality of giving selflessly is not all lost among human beings.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films of all time
Review: This is one of Kurosawa Akira's more important films. Its central questions are "What is the meaning of life?" and "Does a human being have value and significance?" These quesitons are investigated through following the last days of Watanabe Kanji (Shimura Takashi) who is a clerk at city hall. Early in the film, Watanabe overhears that he is dying from gastric cancer. We then watch as he goes through various classical stages of grief. Watanabe attempts to find solace in self-indulgence and in his family. For their part, his family is primarily concerned about transfer of economic and family authority. Utlimately, Watanabe decides to be the ultimate virtuous civil servant and work on a project for children which are themselves one of the iconic goods of Japan. During the early parts of the films we witness the indifference and beurocracy of city hall and how the needs and wishes of residents often ignored. Watanabe adopts a neighborhood petition for a small park and launches a personal crusade to see it built. He personally walks the petition, the plans, and the construction of this part. The last we see of him alive is sitting on a swing in the completed park with snow falling on him. While a Western director might have ended the film with the death of Watanabe, Kurosawa continues the story to include the funeral ceremonies following Watanabe's death. Here we meet his coworkers again who are quick to dismess the efforts of Watanabe and to take credit for themselves. While this may seem sad, we the audience know that the park would never have been built if it hd not been for Watanabe. We, if not the family and coworks, know that Watanabe had truly lived.
The production values of this films are excellent. The acting by Watanabe and Kurosawa's troup is superb. More than any other film, Ikiru showcases the talents of Shimura Takashi. I should mention that Shimura was Kurosawa's favorite actor.
Rating:
Summary: ...Truly Brilliant, Kurosawa.
Review: In Ikiru the main character, Kanji Watanabe (Takashi Shimura), is diagnosed with gastric cancer, which is painfully revealed to the audience before Watanabe is aware of his fatal illness. This is followed by a dim, yet brief report on Watanabe's last 20 years. Watanabe discovers his illness through the lies of the doctors and he begins to ponder his own existence as he tallies the days. A depressed Watanabe seeks refuge in a local bar where he meets a writer for whom he reveals his dark secret. In pity the writer decides to show Watanabe how to enjoy his life while still alive, and he brings him on a sinful adventure that ends in a hang-over. A hang-over was not what Watanabe was looking for, but instead he discovers that he must take risks. Ikiru is translated into "To live", and the film is about Watanabe trying to find life again after years of conscious sleep. This is even pointed out to him by one of his staff members that has her own personal nickname for him, "the Mummy". Ikiru is a film that is full of subtlety that builds up the dark atmosphere around Watanabe as he journeys towards his end. These subtle moment are carefully balanced between acting, sound, cinematography, and directing which brings about a brilliant cinematic experience.
| 
