Dreams

4/4 I have to admit I didn’t think I was gonna like this because I don’t usually like movies that are a series of vignettes but I really shouldn’t have doubted the mastery of Akira Kurosawa.  I loved how all of the dreams were connected in a clear sequence showing the darker side of nature and humanity’s relationship with it as the we film went on but then ultimately ending with a message of hope. Kurosawa really subverted my expectations because I thought the movie was going to end when we’re shown the total desolation of the earth and loss of humanity. But then we get one finally sequence where humanity and nature live in harmony where the audience can understand Kurosawa’s frustrations with how humanity disrespects nature, but is ultimately hopefully for the future. I think Kurosawa’s ability to express these conflicting feelings so effectively are what make the message and the film that much more powerful. It’s easy to convey one message and one emotion, but much harder to express several emotions without one overshadowing others. With Dreams, frustration and hope are intrinsically intertwined.  The visuals, of course, are mesmerizing. I found it difficult to tell at times what parts of a shot were real and what parts were a set piece which just added to the dreamlike effect Kurosawa wanted to achieve. He perfectly captured the indecipherable nature of dreams when we are in one where everything seems simultaneously real and surreal.  I highly recommend this one. I think most people (myself included) wouldn’t typically go for a movie that’s a series of vignettes but if you’re gonna watch any movie that’s this style make it this one.