I live by the same principle as the mum; 'do unto others as you would have others do unto you'. It's easy to not care about others esp when they hurt you, but kindness goes a long way.
Naruse Mikiko's last film and probably his saddest. An understated love story of 2 individuals who are bound to each other by a tragedy, which unfortunately is also the reason that keeps them away. A solid film with a quiet presence that draws in you more and more as the tension between the leads builds up, complemented by some beautiful landscapes. In the end, I felt sad for their plight.
This was your typical film about an older man attracted to younger FL's beauty and youth, with a sick jealous…
The ending was kinda creepy with the return of her giggle like they had zero regrets that the wife literally just died and were just happy in their bubble LOL. So much for those tears when the wife found out and slapped her. The fact that they made this into some sort of normal happy love story bothered me a little. That too for 1948. Oh well. Lucky them. NOTE: Engage in affairs only with people who have spouses on the deathbed LOL
This was your typical film about an older man attracted to younger FL's beauty and youth, with a sick jealous wife who sensed it coming from the moment she met the FL. There was nothing particularly memorable about it, though it might have been a revolutionary film for 1948. Also, this is the 1st film I didn't like Hara Setsuko in. Her constant smile and giggle in the 1st hour or so looked very fake to me and turned me off.
I'm late to this article, but I discovered her very recently and intend to watch as many of her works as I can. Thank you for such a well-written fan guide :)
A gripping suspense film depicting the greed, and corruptness of mankind. Even though I've seen way better and darker suspense films, Kobayashi's stylish direction, the sexy jazz score and Kishi Keiko's performance as the smart, mysterious secretary made this fun for its time. I definitely wanted more of the secretary because I love female characters like her.
"It had been a bleak ordeal, like a harsh winter. But the trees that line the streets can sprout new buds no matter how cold the wind. I too must be just as strong as the winds that gust around me."
A slice-of-life film about an upright woman's struggle to find happiness, and survive in a harsh world that attempts to crush her spirit and morals at her every turn but fails to, with an earnest performance by Takamine Hideko. A little too bleak at times, but the FL's resilience and silent strength draws you in.
This was clearly a film ahead of its time, even feminist to an extent, with a complex female lead, who wanted…
Oh man the misogyny in this film. The man claimed to love her when she was in tears, shunned by society and desperately hanging on to him. But the moment, she became someone who expressed her desire boldly, and a woman who had her own money, he resented her. Love my foot. He just wanted her to be below him, and follow him like a nice devoted woman who would worship his ground.
Also in the courtroom proceedings. What a fantastic point the lawyer makes in that if she cut the rope for a stranger, it would be ok, but because the man was her husband she was expected to die with him or kill herself at the expense of saving him. All the men writing her off because she expressed her own desire to live, and dislike for her husband; like a woman is supposed to love and be devoted to her husband no matter how much of a dick he is. Sad that some of these opinions still hold true.
Felt so sad to see her die. She won the trial, but lost at life. Even though she cut the rope out of hatred, it's clear that had she not done that, all of them would have died. She didn't set out to 'murder' him and yet she was misunderstood. She just wanted love.
This was clearly a film ahead of its time, even feminist to an extent, with a complex female lead, who wanted to love and be loved. Who would have thought at that time that a woman was capable of being in control of her own life and having her own desires. Society has come a long way indeed, and yet some of the misogynistic views held in this film still hold true. Wakao Ayako's fantastic performance and the realistic and well-written courtroom proceedings make this a great watch. Highly recommend this psychological film for all.
"It's human to lie. Most of the time we can't even be honest with ourselves." Kurosawa, you genius. Take a bow! The story presents 4 perspectives to a murder and the question isn't about who is telling the truth because clearly the truth is somewhere in between, but its the way these perspectives explore various themes of the way humans manipulate / see things in a way that benefits us, to the inherent misogyny in society at that time. There is no one truth, and everybody's version of the truth might never make for a credible account. A timeless classic, well deserving of all the accolades thanks to its seamless and compelling story-telling, flawless direction and brilliant acting, esp from Mifune Toshiro as the bandit.
Also in response to @TheButterfly - There was an inherent misogyny rooted in all the male characters, but I don't think the film was trying to be misogynistic. It merely presented the society as it was in 1950 where women were chattels / objects of desire for men and it was always the woman's fault for tempting another man to rape or kill.
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It's easy to not care about others esp when they hurt you, but kindness goes a long way.
So much for those tears when the wife found out and slapped her.
The fact that they made this into some sort of normal happy love story bothered me a little. That too for 1948. Oh well.
Lucky them.
NOTE: Engage in affairs only with people who have spouses on the deathbed LOL
Also, this is the 1st film I didn't like Hara Setsuko in. Her constant smile and giggle in the 1st hour or so looked very fake to me and turned me off.
Thank you for such a well-written fan guide :)
OMGGGGGGGGGGGG
I GOTTA WATCH THIS
Miss youuuuuuu
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Subs: https://www.d-addicts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=165940
I have already seen the drama a few years ago :)
A slice-of-life film about an upright woman's struggle to find happiness, and survive in a harsh world that attempts to crush her spirit and morals at her every turn but fails to, with an earnest performance by Takamine Hideko. A little too bleak at times, but the FL's resilience and silent strength draws you in.
Highly recommend this poignant classic for all :)
The man claimed to love her when she was in tears, shunned by society and desperately hanging on to him. But the moment, she became someone who expressed her desire boldly, and a woman who had her own money, he resented her. Love my foot.
He just wanted her to be below him, and follow him like a nice devoted woman who would worship his ground.
Also in the courtroom proceedings. What a fantastic point the lawyer makes in that if she cut the rope for a stranger, it would be ok, but because the man was her husband she was expected to die with him or kill herself at the expense of saving him. All the men writing her off because she expressed her own desire to live, and dislike for her husband; like a woman is supposed to love and be devoted to her husband no matter how much of a dick he is. Sad that some of these opinions still hold true.
Felt so sad to see her die. She won the trial, but lost at life. Even though she cut the rope out of hatred, it's clear that had she not done that, all of them would have died. She didn't set out to 'murder' him and yet she was misunderstood. She just wanted love.
Wakao Ayako's fantastic performance and the realistic and well-written courtroom proceedings make this a great watch.
Highly recommend this psychological film for all.
Kurosawa, you genius. Take a bow!
The story presents 4 perspectives to a murder and the question isn't about who is telling the truth because clearly the truth is somewhere in between, but its the way these perspectives explore various themes of the way humans manipulate / see things in a way that benefits us, to the inherent misogyny in society at that time. There is no one truth, and everybody's version of the truth might never make for a credible account.
A timeless classic, well deserving of all the accolades thanks to its seamless and compelling story-telling, flawless direction and brilliant acting, esp from Mifune Toshiro as the bandit.
Also in response to @TheButterfly - There was an inherent misogyny rooted in all the male characters, but I don't think the film was trying to be misogynistic. It merely presented the society as it was in 1950 where women were chattels / objects of desire for men and it was always the woman's fault for tempting another man to rape or kill.