Ikiru

Pros: It's a Kurosawa film

Cons: It's a Kurosawa film without any samurai

The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line wants to be remembered for hindering the progress of a million reviewers. It's a proud and lasting legacy.

Review: In "Th e Royal Tenenbaums", Gene Hackman's title character is given (or says he's been given) six months to live. He takes this tragedy and turns it into an opportunity to get to know his kids again, and renew ...

Pros: everything

Cons: not a thing

The Bottom Line: a movie that gets better as I get older

Review: The opening shot of the film Ikiru is an x-ray of a man named Watanabe's chest. Watanabe (Takashi Shimura) has gastric cancer, but doesn't know it yet. According to the narrator "He just drifts through life. In fact, he's barely alive." It is then...

Pros: direction, lead performance

Cons: the co-workers at the funeral are a little too drunk

The Bottom Line: Any movie that could affect the way in which one leads one's life is essential viewing.

Review: Akira Kurosawa's powerful masterpiece resembles the Frank Capra classic, "It's a Wonderful Life." B ...

Pros: brilliant acting, imaginative writing, beautiful cinematography

Cons: it will not appeal to those raised on Hollywood schlock

Review: Having seen other Akira Kurosawa films, I figured that "Ikiru" would be basically similar; like "The Seven Samurai" and "Rashomon", I expected Kuroswa's deft mix of cinematic technique, complex and engaging storyline, and...

Pros: Shimura is excellent, Philosophical and pensive screenplay

Cons: Last segment dragged a little

The Bottom Line: Highly Recommended: Takashi Shimura is sensational as a man reflecting on the life he has wasted. Another classic from Akira Kurosawa

Review: I’ve been digging into Akira Kurosawa’s movies a little lately, and this time it’s the turn of Ikiru. Although it was released in 1952, in between such big hits as Rashômon and Seven Samurai, Ikiru itself was not an instant ...

Pros: Kurosawa's Direction, Script, Cinematography, Music, Editing, & Cast, notably Shimura.

Cons: A Few Minor Pacing Issues & Change of Tone in Third Act.

The Bottom Line: Ikiru is an Inspirational, Complex Drama from Akira Kurosawa & Co. Featuring a Brilliant Performance from Takashi Shimura. (4.5 out of 5)

Review: While Japanese auteur Akira Kurosawa is predominantly known for his samurai films or films that involved samurai in old Japan. The director often adds more elements of drama to the film to renew the idea of samurai. Part of those elements have inspired ...

Pros: Important theme strongly reinforced, solid script, excellent cinematography, and very good lead performance

Cons: A bit slow and not especially emotionally involving

The Bottom Line: Highly recommended for mature viewers as a skillful exploration of meaning-of-life issues

Review: Ikiru was one of Akiri Kurosawa’s earlier films, being produced in 1952. Though Kurosawa was just forty-two at the time, he was already an accomplished director, having the fine film R ashômon already to ...