two words of advice if you haven't seen this film: rent - it.
now.
the reviews i'd read all talked about how the film felt detached and unemotional. i was ready to watch a good-looking film and then send it back. fine. but that was not to be the case. not at-fuckin-all! wow.
the film is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth (right?), so of course that's where the detached comments come from. but it's in no way uninvolving. Kurosawa's adaptation is a fine one and Toshiro Mifune gives one of the most inspired performance (although i gotta say i didn't start out feeling his performance, which i felt was too overexpressive. but at some point it just all makes perfect sense and he just brings you with him.
and the film features one of the most memorable scenes i have ever had the pleasure of watching on film. and remember -- tonight was the first time i saw this film. it's quite astonishing.
i can't go into details much but let's just say the film is about madness (Shakespeare; who woulda thought?) and is a great film from one amazing filmmaker. i'm not the first one to say this about Kurosawa, but tonight i experienced it first-hand.
go out and find a copy and rejoice.
Posted by Anonymous | 1:17 AM
