Review of Ikiru (1952) by David S — 25 Nov 2009

Many films have attempted to tackle a complex plot involving the meaning of life and inevitability of death, but few have possessed the skill to effectively express and articulate their interpretation as masterfully as Akira Kurosawa. Treasured by some, including myself, to be Kurosawa's masterpiece, Ikiru is a solemn study of one man's quest to find a purpose to his life while staring death in the face. As actor Takashi Shimura grimmly mutters the lyrics "Life is so short; Fall in love, dear maiden; While your lips are still red; And before you are cold; For there will be no tomorrow", one can't help but evaluate their own life along with the life of the character presented.

One of the most intriguing parts of the picture is how the first two acts present the story as a man regretting the way in which he wasted his life, but the terrific final act shows us how utilizing what time we have can bring us peace, confirming that film was not merely about becoming accepting of death, but taking advantage of life. It's an interesting subject to contemplate, especially when raised in film which is an industry that tends to easily disregard life.

By the time I finally got around to watching Ikiru, I had already viewed a good handful of Kurosawa's most famous works, but this film left me with quite a different emotion. An emotion and depth that is sincerely lacking in modern cinema. This is not only a film everyone must see, it's one of the best pictures ever made...