Solomon Grundy Week: Died on Saturday - Ikiru

[@benvivas3149]

I'd argue that the bureaucratic aspect during the wake illustrates the battle Watanabe had to face in order to make the park. What it actually does is strip away the superficiality of city hall and actually hands Watanabe the honor of helping everyone. It also gives his final actions weight when they start discussing who gets the credit. After all, why is it easier to make a red-light district instead of cleaning up sewage water that gives rashes to children? He had to fight to get something done.

[@TheCinematicPackrat1]

I can definitely see that, and I agree that the sequences adds something to what he accomplishes. I guess I don't know if Kurosawa needed to spend THAT much time getting that point across. I'm all for a filmmaker/writer taking their time, but I felt the sequence was drawn out far too long and ultimately distracted more than it helped. At least for me it did. But, again, you make excellent points. Thanks for watching, by the way! :)

[@benvivas3149]

​@@TheCinematicPackrat1 It could be that it was the roughness of an early filmmaker may be cause for some clunkiness. I will admit when there was a narration that spoonfed exposition in the first 10 minutes, I felt like it was something film students are told to not do. I actually thought it was gonna be a bad movie compared to Throne of Blood and Yojimbo. But damn was I wrong. I do feel like the POV of his actions through the city leadership and his co-workers lets us see his heroism through the eyes of others. It also shows the impact his actions had while also finalizing his death to the audience. I like the moment when he nervously asks the Deputy Mayor to reconsider his proposal again. Even when his coworker was trying to pull him away to forget about it, he still stood by his decision. It's silent courage among his many other actions to get the park built. Thanks for making the video too. I'm happy there was a video essay talking about Ikiru. I just saw it yesterday and I thought it'd be too obscure for anyone to make a video about it. :)

[@benvivas3149]

PS. Perhaps it's best to see the wake not just as an overdone argument against beauracracy, but perhaps as a verbal battle for Watanabe's honor in the face of people who wish to overshadow him. A battle of good will against selfish glory of people within the system. Although, I think it's fair to say that in spite of the rabble, Watanabe saw his accomplishments from beyond the grave and was satisfied. :)

[@TheCinematicPackrat1]

@@benvivas3149 Again, excellent points in your second and third comments. Honestly don't know if l'll agree with them or not upon reflection or a possible second viewing of the film. Either way, well-thought and interesting points. Please never hesitate to post your thoughts on film on any of my videos. You have a good analytical mind for them if these posts are any indication.

[@benvivas3149]

@@TheCinematicPackrat1 Of course friend. Thanks for listening. :)