A dynamic and
tightly controlled
noire and a strong
continuation on the
ideas set up in Drunken Angel.
Considered by many to be one of Kurosawa's greatest noires, and a prime specimen of post-war Japanese cinema, this film is one of the most respected films in Kurosawa's entire
filmography. So the what are my thoughts on one of Kurosawa's most beloved early works?
continuation on the
ideas set up in Drunken Angel.
Considered by many to be one of Kurosawa's greatest noires, and a prime specimen of post-war Japanese cinema, this film is one of the most respected films in Kurosawa's entire
filmography. So the what are my thoughts on one of Kurosawa's most beloved early works?
To begin, the two lead performances from Tishiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura are truly fantastic. Mifune is in my eyes one of the all time greatest actors and he does not disappoint here. His stature and facial expressions steal every single scene he is in, and his energy and passion is emitted in every line of dialogue. This role is notable for being on one his more restrained and respectable, focusing on his youthful innocence rather than his feral energy, and he sells the youth and drive of his character very well indeed. Shimura is also fantastic as the wise, yet loose, older policeman who acts as Mifune's mentor throughout the film. Shimura's charm and charisma is on full display in this film and he balances both experience and intuitive genius perfectly in this film. Overall, I would say that this film features one of the best character dynamics in any Kurosaw film, and marks the point in his career where the director perfected his ability to etch out distinct, realistic and memorable characters in his films.
Beyond the two lead performances, the aspect of the film which impressed me the most was it's editing and pacing. At key points in the film the narrative gives way to montages showing the poverty stricken, post-war world the film inhabits. These montages held my interest remarkably well and are some of the film's most memorable sequences, and stand as a key example of how to bring an environment to life in a cinematic manner. Furthermore, these scenes reminded me of a similarly atmospheric and potent sequence from Ghost in the Shell, a film which I am sure took inspiration from these captivating moments of captured reality.
Beyond these montages, the film is edited in a remarkably modern fashion. I have watched modern crime-noires which were edited in a far more shoddy fashion than this film, and it really stands as a testament to Kurosawa's ability as an editor (this man really was a jack of all trades wasn't he?). The film's tension grows at exactly the perfect pace, in synchrony with the weight on the shoulders of Mifune's character. This film stands as a primary example of how to intertwine character development with the film's core narrative, in a way that can only be described as alive.
Finally, the film is perhaps best remembered for it's climax. A raw sequence of pain and astonishingly restrained violence, forming one of the all-time great endings to a crime film. This ending is what makes the film truly great, and acts as a crescendo to the perfectly built tension and character.
In conclusion, I respect this film and would say it more than earns it's place as one of Kuroswa's greats. However, I feel I must agree with Kurosawa himself, who never really thought highly of this film. It is hard to describe what the issue is, however when compared to his previous masterpiece, Drunken Angel, this film cannot help but feel a little artificial in my eyes, serving it's genre more than forming it's own distinct identity. This film pushed the technical boundaries of the noire genre in a real way, and cemented Kurosawa's mastery, however I respect it more than love it. This is a great film, but not one of Kurosawa's many masterpieces in my eyes.
By Jack D. Phillips
A Zoom Film Review
Beyond the two lead performances, the aspect of the film which impressed me the most was it's editing and pacing. At key points in the film the narrative gives way to montages showing the poverty stricken, post-war world the film inhabits. These montages held my interest remarkably well and are some of the film's most memorable sequences, and stand as a key example of how to bring an environment to life in a cinematic manner. Furthermore, these scenes reminded me of a similarly atmospheric and potent sequence from Ghost in the Shell, a film which I am sure took inspiration from these captivating moments of captured reality.
Beyond these montages, the film is edited in a remarkably modern fashion. I have watched modern crime-noires which were edited in a far more shoddy fashion than this film, and it really stands as a testament to Kurosawa's ability as an editor (this man really was a jack of all trades wasn't he?). The film's tension grows at exactly the perfect pace, in synchrony with the weight on the shoulders of Mifune's character. This film stands as a primary example of how to intertwine character development with the film's core narrative, in a way that can only be described as alive.
Finally, the film is perhaps best remembered for it's climax. A raw sequence of pain and astonishingly restrained violence, forming one of the all-time great endings to a crime film. This ending is what makes the film truly great, and acts as a crescendo to the perfectly built tension and character.
In conclusion, I respect this film and would say it more than earns it's place as one of Kuroswa's greats. However, I feel I must agree with Kurosawa himself, who never really thought highly of this film. It is hard to describe what the issue is, however when compared to his previous masterpiece, Drunken Angel, this film cannot help but feel a little artificial in my eyes, serving it's genre more than forming it's own distinct identity. This film pushed the technical boundaries of the noire genre in a real way, and cemented Kurosawa's mastery, however I respect it more than love it. This is a great film, but not one of Kurosawa's many masterpieces in my eyes.
By Jack D. Phillips
A Zoom Film Review
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