Ikiru

Ikiru is a miracle of a film. A quiet, crushing, ultimately transcendent examination of the human condition. I loved the way lighting transitions were used to depict the personal growth of Watanabe throughout the film. Particularly, the transition from the chiaroscuro lighting used during his initial diagnosis through to the softer lighting of the park in the end. In those early scenes, the shadows seem to physically pin him to his desk, emphasizing his isolation and the darkness of his prognosis. In the end, the transition to more naturalistic lighting seems to signify his soul being freed from the oppressive artificial look of the city office. Truly an amazing movie that I look forward to rewatching.