Ikiru

A Speechlessly and Breathlessly Profounding and Touching Picture Director Akira Kurosawa needs no introduction, with 33 films under directing credit and over 60 writing credits, Kurosawa of course is best known for his samurai epics as well as crime thrillers but one of his best and most well known works turn out to be one of his least grand or thrilling but instead one of if not his most touching work. The 1952 drama "Ikiru" (translation: "To Live") Kurosawa's collaborator and well known Japanese actor Takashi Shimura stars as Kanji Watanabe, a middle aged man who spends 30 years of his life working at the same monotonous bureaucratic position while becoming further distant from his son, one day he learns that he has stomach cancer and probably has only a year left to live and therefore Kanji starts to search for the meaning of his life What is the meaning of life? It's probably one of the most talked about and discussed out of any philosophical questions, no one can truly answer it and it's probably subjective because nobody live and look at life the same way as others do but I believe Kurosawa manages to make a picture that comes the closest to answer that question. Ikiru might just be the most moving picture I have ever seen, movies like this is why some people are frankly dumb when they say they can't watch old movies because it's old or because it's in black and white. This film transcends age, language, culture, generation and time and it's message and thoughtful story is still relevant today, if you are a human being no matter what you will understand in some way or another what Kurosawa is saying with this emotional masterwork yet his approach is so uniquely subtle and understated. On the surface one could say Ikiru is a simple drama but on a deeper level the film is a emotional and stunning experience that is simply human. I believe one of the keys to what makes a film great is honesty, a filmmaker is at their most notable and great when they are honest to themselves, the stories and the audience and Ikiru demonstrates this better then any other film could. It's simple, frank, heartfelt, caring and most of all truthful and in turn Ikiru might be one of the most important films ever made about the human condition, connection and emotion. Kurosawa brings his rich and communicative cinematic language seen in many of his other works to Ikiru's stunning direction and it's no question that this is Kurosawa on top of his game, every frame is meaningful, moving and spiritually unforgettable. He creates a world where logic, locations and surroundings serves emotion and human wonderment as well as a world that still very much our own, filled with people who have personal issues and crisis yet despite it's deep subject the film is beautiful, it's not too cynical or overly sentimental, the balance is just right and in turn the film has a lot of light and hopeful moments as well as dark and touching moments. How Kurosawa delivers much of the emotion of the film is both gut punching yet collected and kind. Add Kurosawa's beautiful direction with his collaborator Asakazu Nakai's striking cinematography and this film is mesmerising to watch from start to finish. What's more to say then top tiers all around with everything technical in this film. Kurosawa with Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni wrote Ikiru's moving screenplay, it's clear from every second of the film that these men has pure love for not just the story but for people also, both their positives and flaws which in turn not only make every characters in Ikiru feel real but also memorable and unforgettable in their own right. Throughout the 143 minutes they crafted a story of true emotion and weight that it's a true sight to behold. Films like this can't be made anymore, a picture not about something high concept or about the overly rich or poor but just about everyday people dealing with death, life and meaning. I believe the film market today is too busy making sure the audience is engaged instead of telling a compelling, honest, bold and absorbing story like this, the fact is no matter how slow or long a film is, as long as it leaves the audience with something emotional, something to think about, it will always be a thousand times more entertaining and unforgettable then a 2 hour exploding disposable fest. Ikiru's screenplay is bold and hauntingly unforgettable, it's perfectly paced, structured and thought out without any dull moment to speak of as well as being a truly moving piece of cinematic art. It feels like a film that cares about you, that ones you to truly feel and believe in something and If your heart doesn't even feel anything by the end of Ikiru you literally have no heart to began with. Iconic Japanese actor Takashi Shimura stars as our main character Kenji and delivers maybe the best performance of his long and rich career, a single glance tells stories, his eyes are like rivers and the way he talks and moves communicates every pain and remorse his character feels. You can't help but sympathised with him, he is not a perfect man but also not a evil man, he is just like us and we relate to his boredom, flaws, aging and search for meaning in his life. His performance truly drives the film to new heights, so much so that when we see his character Kenji smiles just once, you feel like the world is good again. Miki Odagirl also makes quite the impression as the character Toyo, a young office girl who works at the same place as Kenji and finally decides to quit, her character really becomes Integral to the film when she befriends Kenji and becomes a inspiration for him to live with her upbeat, optimistic and bubbly personality, for some she might be annoying at times but I find her to be quite the soft spot in the film, bringing optimism to her that really lights the film during its heartbreaking second act and her truly dramatic scene is also really well done showing both concern, understanding but also fear. The other actors also delivers really great performances that both works in the world of the film while being very convincing and real but Takashi Shimura is the real highlight here, he truly gave one hell of a moving performance. Ikiru deserves to be a classic but even more so, Seven Samurai is a great picture but I feel Ikiru deserves as much or even more love then Seven Samurai, it's dealings with the human condition is honest and nuance and the performances from everyone is captivating with again Takashi Shimura blowing it out of the park (pun not intended) with his portrayal of Kenji. Ikiru is a beautiful, simply beautiful. No words describes this mesmerising and unforgettable portrait of death and the meaning of life then beautiful. Ikiru's translation to english is To Live so may Ikiru live on forever! It is a true essential and treasure, doesn't matter what kind of film you like or don't or even if you like film to began with, Ikiru is still a must watch for anyone.