Rashomon
A director that I just keep wanna come back for his innovative filmmaking and remarkable blocking and staging is none other than the GOAT, Akira Kurosawa. I have seen two films of his, Ikiru and High and low. Both were different from genre but very similar through its technicalities. Now I go for a third movie that is equally distant from the rest as I go back to 50's retro Japan again. Without a sec wasted, I press play.
On surface, Rashomon is a psychological thriller but beneath it, lies a story about morality, ego, subjective truth and humanity's curse of deceiving others and themselves. Storytelling so goated, it gave birth to a new plot device based on its name and is still crazy how Kurosawa managed to pioneer it. A former painter, thus, his framing and staging is second to none. The screenplay is so tight paced, barely letting you breathe and yet doesn't feel rushed. One of the finest screenplay I have seen.
Toshiro Mifune as the infamous Tajômaru is unrecognizable. He is hysterical, unpredictable and yet holds a sense of self admiration and is super egotistic. He is so different here than when I saw him first in "High and Low". Not just because he is young here but how effectively he switches the pitch of the character. Just a chameleon of an actor.
There are less characters here than his previous works I had seen but the actors here are too good. Especially for the brief time he is here, Takeshi Shimura who I have been following since "Ikiru", is such a treat to watch and ofc Kurosawa ain't just gonna hand him a simple woodcutter role here. Love him everytime he graces his presense in front of the screen.
Although, the movie's plot device and its premise doesn't seem new, but the fact it was introduced here makes it such a precious film. The tight screenplay, picturesque framing and sheer powerhouse performances are enough plus points to watch this movie for anyone looking for a quick yet enthralling tale that gives us more than what's on the surface.