High and Low

Loved this. The police work in this movie is so well done, probably better than anything else I've seen. Like you understand exactly how they got all information, it makes complete sense and feels so realistic and thorough while also being intriguing the whole time. Man, being a detective back the would've been so much harder than now, they really had to put in the work. I love how they characterised Gondo. A lesser movie would've made him completely unsympathetic. Like what do you mean this rich guy doesn't want to pay to save this kid? But they make him completely understandable and really emphasise how his livelihood and passion is on the line. Like my man just really wants to make some damn good shoes. And he has worked his way up from nothing so he knows how much he has to lose if he has to do it again. Really makes the moral dilemma far more interesting instead of just going for the really easy "look how cruel and selfish this rich dude is" that most movies would go for. And at the same time it still makes really clear commentary on the class divide. The way the dude whose son is kidnapped still feels like his has to apologise to Gondo is so sad. And also the kidnappers whole motive I totally get. If I had to look up at that fuckers mansion every day while I lived in the damn slums I would be resentful as hell too. Absolutely my favourite Kurosawa movie I've seen so far and I absolutely see why it's hailed as one of the best of all time. Still a lot of his I need to watch but idk if there's any beating this.