Ran

“In a mad world, only the mad are sane.” One of the most beautiful films ever made, if not the most beautiful. Ran absolutely blew me away. I had no idea what I was about to watch before I started the film, and honestly that was the best decision I could’ve made. Going in completely blind made everything so much more impactful because every character, every twist and every moment came as a surprise. The story is basically Shakespeare’s King Lear. I’m not gonna act like I’ve read King Lear, but after watching this I don’t even feel like I have to. The story is perfect and so is the pacing. Every second feels worth it. There wasn’t a single moment where I thought the film was dragging or boring. The themes are also incredible if you really think about them. War has always existed and probably always will. Humans keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again, hurting and killing each other because of greed, pride and power. That’s what makes this film feel so timeless. And then there’s the visual. I genuinely don’t have the words. Akira Kurosawa was 75 years old when he made this, and somehow created one of the most beautiful looking films ever. I know people say “every frame is a painting” all the time, but here it’s actually true. The use of color is unbelievable. The cinematography, the acting and the choreography are all on another level. This is one of those films that reminds you why cinema is an art form. A masterpiece and a must watch for everyone.