Life is Brief... | IKIRU (1952) | Movie Reaction

[@henryellow]

Watanabe wanted to find out "how to live". We can learn from his experience. Gambling, alcohol, and women may bring pleasure and a temporary high (maybe even a feeling of "happiness"), but it doesn't last. It brings temporary satisfaction, but not fulfilment. Friendship and companionship can bring happiness. Even so, friends have their own lives and they can't spend all their time with you. As time goes on, friends might spend less time with each other, especially once they have their own family and commitments. Watanabe found his joy and fulfilment by contributing to others. He found meaning in helping the residents of Kuroe build a park. ***** This little park that Watanabe spent the remainder of his life to build... It seems insignificant in the grand scheme of things. It did not change the system. It did not make the department more efficient. It did not resolve corruption. It did not even motivate his colleagues to do a better job. The park is like a drop of water in the desert. But it is exactly this drop of water that brought him happiness in his final days. And that is enough. That is enough... Life is brief. ***** "I can't afford to hate people. I don't have that kind of time." This is a powerful quote. If only everyone could adopt this philosophy. Why waste time on hatred? Ain't nobody got time for that! ***** If we look at it from another perspective, the stomach cancer was the best thing that happened to Watanabe, because it was a death sentence that brought him to life.

[@AceMoonshot]

I'm glad that you chose Ikiru. Such a simple film but one that strikes a chord that resonates even after the credits roll. Edit: I do recommend "Living." Starring Bill Nighy and adapted by Nobel Prizewinner in literature, Kazuo Ishiguro. They see it more as a re-imaging than a remake. Kazuo Ishiguro wrote it specifically for Nighy. Is it perfect? No. But really, really good. Nighy said in interviews how, after the death of his wife, the MC was 'institutionalized in grief." And a 'Cult of One." As well as the impact of the, "corrosive element of procrastination." Which made me think of Confucius..."We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one." All-in-all, a great reaction. Thank you.

[@henryellow]

I'll add "Living" to my list too then. Thanks for your suggestion! 😊

[@masudashizue777]

I first watched this film as a university student but now that I'm 70, it strikes a much different chord.

[@thesamuelshow3532]

Absolutely amazing movie

[@citron3612]

My favorite movie of all time. Thanks for this!

[@kevind4850]

Watanabe (and the women who kept the pressure going for the project) stood up for what was right, made waves, upset the status-quo, caused discomfort, and finally made a difference. The status quo is too often a path to nowhere in any organization or society. The film offers a valuable lesson - for those who are willing to see and hear.

[@jeancoppin6353]

Wonderful reaction, thank you!

[@donkfail1]

Oh, YES! If I have to pick a favourite Kurosawa movie I'd probably say this one.

[@donkfail1]

From Watanabe's point of view, I don't think they took anything away from him by taking credit for his work. Did he do it for the admiration or advancement? No, he just wanted to do it right for once.

[@henryellow]

It's true that Watanabe did not care for the recognition. I'm sure he didn't mind one little bit when others took the credit. I just can't help feeling frustrated at what the deputy mayor did...

[@mikecaetano]

The movie poster makes a lot more sense after seeing the film. The scenes with Toyo remind me of scenes in The 400 Blows (1959). Her absence from the second half of the film makes sense since the truth of her relationship with Watanabe remained secret from all the mourners at his funeral.

[@mikeduplessis8069]

1952, I consider this the first 'modern' movie. I can't think of an equivalent film from this time period.

[@Dej24601]

Sending you warm wishes of peace and comfort.

[@henryellow]

Same to you 😊

[@jimmyj1969]

Wasting your life without doing what you dream of (or just like doing) is the WORST thing you dan do!

[@jesusfernandezgarcia9449]

Well, I haven't seen this one, but it's never too late.

[@せん-g7b]

豆知識　ここで描かれているのは葬式ではなく通夜です。葬式の前夜に故人と親しかった者たちが集ってお別れの挨拶をする言わば葬式の前夜祭です。

[@henryellow]

Oh, I see. Thank you for clarifying that 😊

[@gaffo7836]

Hi Henry! I posted on your 12 angry men and failsafe reactions - FABULIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!! that i see you are reacting to "Foriegn" movies - they are usually better than mainstream and SSO UNDERAPRECIATED ;-(. IKiru is Kerosakaws(sp) best movie I've seen (even bought the Criterion Bluray of) I know Rashimon is rated higher, but i actually did not like Rashimon - found it average. I have many Blurays of old and new foriegn movies: here are some name drops if interested in the future in viewing them. Burmese Harp (1950's Japanese) All three of the Apu Trilogies series (1950's Indian) City of Life and Death (modern 2009 - Chinese, but filmed in Black and White - its the "best" ww2 movie i've seen) The Hunt (2010? - Danish - not the american movie of the same name that came out later - about being a "Male" in a culture that is "sexist" - but in the inverse way we usually know it) The Final Days of Sophie Schol (2009 - German - based on true story/real person/s) The Lives of Others (2004 maybe the best movie I've ever watched - its a German version of Ikiru in many many ways) Dark Blue World (Chech 2001 - and my personal favorate) Zelary (Chech 2003 - ya the Chechs and the Germans make the best movies IMO) The Island (russion one - not the american one of same name) 9 Queens (Argentinian 2000) Valintin (Argininian 2004) House of Sand (Brazilian 2007) Central Station (Brazilian 1998) Children of Heaven (1998 Iranian) Song of Sparrows (2009 Iranian) Color of Paradise (2004 Iranian - i LOVE this movie!!!!!!!! and director Madjid Madjidi best movie - the two above are his second best offerings - I've seen 6-7 if his movie and even his worse is good!) some not "foriegn" but sort of being British/Ausie/New Zelander The Innocents (British 1960) Women In Black (British - the 1984 TV movie version, not the new movie remake of 2015ish) Gallipoli (Australian 1981) Breaker Morant (Australin 1979 love this one - and love Edward Woodward! - he was in an old fab 70's TV show called "Callan" that i never knew about prior to YT - then bought the DVD set of 15 years ago) Snowtown (Australian 2009 bleakest movie I've watched and it is a chore and will shorten your lifespan with each viewing - based on a true story (makes it that much more horiffic "shoot the dog!!!!!!" ;-( ;-( ) Threads (British ww3 tv movie) Whale Rider (2001 New Zealand) August Evening (low budget indi american film - 2004) 2 cents - carry on, love you "expanding" to the foreign classics Sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! too few bother to do so ;-(.

[@henryellow]

Thanks for your movie suggestions, I'll add them to my list! 😊👍🏻

[@gaffo7836]

@@henryellow Hi Henry, a few more movies I love but forgot to mention: indepentent (low budget American movies - about the human condition (universal humanism))..........none are on Bluray (legal issues? low demand because they are forgotten????????) - i have them in DVD (will buy then on Bluray if/when they are offered on - 3 were and I bought after having the DVDs for years will note them below - it takes years sometimes - ;-( 1. "Spitfire Grill" (I have the piss poor DVD version - low quality DVD - blurry as fk - VHS quality basically - last year it was on YT in Hi Fidelity in full for free with ads (I tried to copy it via my "YT 4k Downloader" program on PC, but it was blocked - so can watch in hidef, and can watch low def from my DVD. but cant copy hidef version from YT and still NO BLURAY of this movie for me to buy. BTW Allison Elliot was a gem in this movie - pretty as fk of course, but her character was prettier even and her acting was top tier too (she was in The Underneath? i think that was the movie's name - too, in that one she played a well actied "B-e-o-t-c-h" Somehow she ended up not getting "famous" but was in a few excellent indi movies of the 90's era) 2. "Smoke Signals" still no Bluray - top 25 movie of all time, with only a poor DVD - more like a VHS in quality - disc (30 yrs and counting)............still no Bluray. About American Indian's perspective added with growing up without a father figure, will good added humor. Its a sad but also feel good movie - just like life itself. 3. "The Other" - this is an old "horror" 1970? film, forgotten for decades - finally offered on bluray 10 years ago and I bought after vfiewing on YT 10 yrs ago (when YT allowed indi channels to show films in copyreich violation - unlike today - much more strick (I had a channel in 2016/17 with old TV shows - Danger UXD, The Senator, Gideon's Way, Callan, The Defenders, The Human Jungle - all forgotten shows - some "do gooder" "Called the cops" and told YT i was violating copyreichs - so my channel only lasted 6 months - did it as a public service - lat others know about great 50 yr old shows they never heard about and not offered on TV) oh well i expected it - just crying about it like a kid. check out my references for good old TV shows and the movie "the other" - Holland was a dk, so good riddance, this identitical twin brother was a nice kid that sadly lacked good guidance - i felt sorry for him 3. The Shout - brit movie with an interesting concept - slow burner but a good one and foregoten today 4. Ordinary People - top cast of all time - maybe the best movie of all time about the human condition/universal humanity - FINALLY offered on bluray 2 yrs ago - I had on DVD for 20 yrs - stuck in legal limbo longer - and finally FINALLY offered on Bluray - which i bough one last year. This may be the best movie of all time (its up there with the 1940's "Best Years of Our Lives" - its that good!). RIP Donald Sutherland (who was also great in the excellent remake of "The Body Snatchers") 5. Nothing but a man - the best movie about the human condition had how it relates to racism. Still no Bluray - there is a hifi vid on YT and the low hi DVD which i have, but still not bluray ;-(. 6. The Intruder - same era as #5 above and about the same topic - racism in the South in the 60's, and same story no bluray but a instead a blurry DVD which i have - not at good as #5 above, but still excellent and shows Wlliam Shatner's (Star Trek) acting chops before he became known - plays a perfect slime ball! 2 cents, and thanks for reply Sir!

[@gaffo7836]

Oh ya I forgot to add "Magic" - another sleeper/forgotten classic "thriller" 1978? staring the incredible Anthony Hobkins. a few more movie title drops would your time. Soylent Green Silent Running The Lathe of Heaven (original only! not the remake!) Rollerball (original only! remake is sht!) 3rd cent. ;-)

[@henryellow]

Sure, and thanks for your summarized thoughts on each movie 😊👍🏻

[@jeancoppin6353]

Have you seen Donzoko?

[@henryellow]

Nope, not yet! 😊