Fergus
06-26-2002, 04:26 AM
Ran
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Hinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Tyu, Mieko Harada.
R/1985/160 minutes.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/6305041156.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
I must admit, I didn't warm up to the films of Akira Kurosawa as quickly or as much as some other people I know. "The Seven Samurai" wasn't my idea of a great time back when I saw it, and even though I consider it now to be a great film, I didn't actually enjoy it much when I saw it. I've gradually watched more of Kurosawa over the past couple of years, and now, I think I finally see the genius that has made him a legend among filmmakers, actors, film buff's, and historians worldwide.
There is something about his visual poetry that attaches to you, then grows. It's like a good household mold almost http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif. The plot is based off of William Shakespeare's King Lear. Though, having never read the actual play, I still think I got the basic elements of the original play in watching the movie. Kurosawa molds the story into the Japanese culture, and I like that. Kurosawa has an assured approach as a director. He knows the kind of story he is going to make, and he goes out, and makes the film masterfully. He doesn't do all these fast takes, his shots are slow, but not to the point of being ponderous. They are slow for an effect, and trust me, they do get an effect. There is a great battle scene at about the hour mark that blew me away. He achieved an atmosphere that was dark, brooding, and to an extent, haunting. The scene following the battle where the winds and environment are manipulated by the filmmakers to suit the action happening was quite amazing, and its another one of those things where you wonder "how did they do that?," because, it doesn't appear to be done on a stage. The man had a talent for making big and epic films; he proves himself capable once again.
For one thing, the film isn't for everyone, and is very "artsy". It does have scenes of action, but its themes reside more in the troubles of mankind. The characters make fatal mistakes that lead from one thing to another, and at times question themselves. There is the main character Lord Hidetora Ichimonji, played by Nakadai who is the center of the film. I must applaud him for playing the father who eventually "loses his marbles". He is effective and emotionally expressive. I've noticed that in many Japanese actors, who seem to over-react, but I think it works. Other characters are so heartless you wait for the moment in which they are killed, such as Lady Kaede played by Mieko Harada who is the most dispicable character in the film who cares about no one but herself. However, what the film really comes down to is "madness". "Madness", in a sense that mankind has lost his mind and his way; his direction; his path, to lead a good, peaceful life--this statement is well illustrated in the final shot of the film which is beautiful, haunting, and deeply affecting. The lives of these men in the film are far from being peaceful, as one betrayal occurs, another one follows. The wars pile up, as greed engulfs their senses. The word "father", or the word "son" means absolutely nothing. Its a despicable but truthful world Kurosawa has created. They know that this has gone on for centuries, but they refuse to make any changes; they feel that there is no way to change it. And yet, they continue to go on with their lives.
These kinds of films are not bound to go over well with just about anyone, but for the regular film buff, its safe to say this is a solid recommendation. "Ran" takes its themes, its philosophies, its imagery, and combines to make an admirably well told story, that couldn't be any better than it already is. Some may bark at its slow pacing, which made me think a little of how this film could've been made better by quicker pacing. The film would lose itself if it were told any differently, or more quickly. The long takes, nearly-ponderous imagery suits its story. Kurosawa told it in the best manner possible, and, had the pace been increased, I think it would've lost all credibility, and the meaning that is brought to the deep themes would be lost. Kurosawa has done a remarkable job as a director and co-writer, and I'm thankful that the cinema was able have him as a guest; a master of his art.
(******) or a (10/10)
[This message has been edited by Fergus (edited 06-26-2002).]
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Cast: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Hinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Tyu, Mieko Harada.
R/1985/160 minutes.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/6305041156.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
I must admit, I didn't warm up to the films of Akira Kurosawa as quickly or as much as some other people I know. "The Seven Samurai" wasn't my idea of a great time back when I saw it, and even though I consider it now to be a great film, I didn't actually enjoy it much when I saw it. I've gradually watched more of Kurosawa over the past couple of years, and now, I think I finally see the genius that has made him a legend among filmmakers, actors, film buff's, and historians worldwide.
There is something about his visual poetry that attaches to you, then grows. It's like a good household mold almost http://www.joblo.com/ubb/smile.gif. The plot is based off of William Shakespeare's King Lear. Though, having never read the actual play, I still think I got the basic elements of the original play in watching the movie. Kurosawa molds the story into the Japanese culture, and I like that. Kurosawa has an assured approach as a director. He knows the kind of story he is going to make, and he goes out, and makes the film masterfully. He doesn't do all these fast takes, his shots are slow, but not to the point of being ponderous. They are slow for an effect, and trust me, they do get an effect. There is a great battle scene at about the hour mark that blew me away. He achieved an atmosphere that was dark, brooding, and to an extent, haunting. The scene following the battle where the winds and environment are manipulated by the filmmakers to suit the action happening was quite amazing, and its another one of those things where you wonder "how did they do that?," because, it doesn't appear to be done on a stage. The man had a talent for making big and epic films; he proves himself capable once again.
For one thing, the film isn't for everyone, and is very "artsy". It does have scenes of action, but its themes reside more in the troubles of mankind. The characters make fatal mistakes that lead from one thing to another, and at times question themselves. There is the main character Lord Hidetora Ichimonji, played by Nakadai who is the center of the film. I must applaud him for playing the father who eventually "loses his marbles". He is effective and emotionally expressive. I've noticed that in many Japanese actors, who seem to over-react, but I think it works. Other characters are so heartless you wait for the moment in which they are killed, such as Lady Kaede played by Mieko Harada who is the most dispicable character in the film who cares about no one but herself. However, what the film really comes down to is "madness". "Madness", in a sense that mankind has lost his mind and his way; his direction; his path, to lead a good, peaceful life--this statement is well illustrated in the final shot of the film which is beautiful, haunting, and deeply affecting. The lives of these men in the film are far from being peaceful, as one betrayal occurs, another one follows. The wars pile up, as greed engulfs their senses. The word "father", or the word "son" means absolutely nothing. Its a despicable but truthful world Kurosawa has created. They know that this has gone on for centuries, but they refuse to make any changes; they feel that there is no way to change it. And yet, they continue to go on with their lives.
These kinds of films are not bound to go over well with just about anyone, but for the regular film buff, its safe to say this is a solid recommendation. "Ran" takes its themes, its philosophies, its imagery, and combines to make an admirably well told story, that couldn't be any better than it already is. Some may bark at its slow pacing, which made me think a little of how this film could've been made better by quicker pacing. The film would lose itself if it were told any differently, or more quickly. The long takes, nearly-ponderous imagery suits its story. Kurosawa told it in the best manner possible, and, had the pace been increased, I think it would've lost all credibility, and the meaning that is brought to the deep themes would be lost. Kurosawa has done a remarkable job as a director and co-writer, and I'm thankful that the cinema was able have him as a guest; a master of his art.
(******) or a (10/10)
[This message has been edited by Fergus (edited 06-26-2002).]