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| IKIRU (1952) | |
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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. |
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Japan |
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| REVIEWED | |
| 1/22/2004 | |
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The Internet Movie Database. |
