Ran
2.5/4
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, Mieko Harada, Pita
Rated R (probably for Graphic Violence)
There comes a time in everyone's life where they have to decide whether to be safe and go with popular opinion or open yourself to criticism by going against the grain. For a film critic, it's difficult to be honest when you didn't like a movie that is universally considered a classic. I mean, would anyone take me seriously if I said that "Casablanca" is an overblown bore? It's not, but you get my point. Such is the case with "Ran." Directed by the legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, it's a beloved war epic. While there are parts of the film that are excellent, bordering on brilliant, the film as a whole isn't all that its reputation suggests.
Lord Hidetora (Nakadai) is growing older. Sensing that his time in this earthly realm is drawing to a close (his energy and vitality are decreasing, and his memory is not the best), he decides to split his kingdom between his three sons: Taro (Terao), Jiro (Nezu), and Saburo (Ryu). Hidetora will be ruler in name only, but his power will go to his oldest son Taro, and each son will get a castle. When his youngest son, Saburo, points out the folly in this decision, Hidetora is insulted and banishes him. Saburo's warning proves to be prescient, as both Taro and Jiro vie for complete control of the land. Meanwhile, Hidetora is cast out by both of his older sons and with nowhere else to go, begins to lose his mind.
Although this has similarities to William Shakespeare's tragedy "King Lear," it's not a strict retelling. Kurosawa drew on old Japanese myths and historical figures, and the story grew into a similar story. This isn't the first time that Kurosawa used the Bard as the basis for a film; "Throne of Blood" is a retelling of "Macbeth." However, there are elements of that play that found their way into this film.
In general, "Ran" has two modes: thrilling and tedious. The first descriptor refers to the visuals and the battle scenes. This movie looks incredible. It's awash in vibrant colors, complex choreography, and brilliantly composed shots. Shockingly, Kurosawa's vision had almost completely deteriorated by the time the film was made. He was only able to frame his shots with the help of his assistants, who used his storyboards to compose them. Although this was the director's last epic, it wasn't his last film. He continued making movies until 1993, five years before his death. You gotta hand it to him for his skill and dedication; his wife tragically died during filming as well (he halted filming for a day to mourn, then continued on).
The latter refers to the plot. It's not the material that's boring; epic tragedies make for great filmmaking if done right. But Kurosawa so strenuously avoids any manipulation that it's hard to become invested in what's going on. Many older films, particularly artistically-inclined ones, are emotionally sterile; as if they are considered "less than" if they are easily accessible and emotionally manipulative (which is, of course, completely ludicrous). That stereotype applies here. The characters are finely acted but contain little depth. In fact, there are times when they seem to be acting on a stage, which takes us out of the moment.
The performances are solid, with a few standouts. Tatsuya Nakadai is excellent as the mentally decaying lord. At the outset, Hidetora seems a little befuddled, but still sound of mind. But the tragedies he endures push him into madness. Nakadai doesn't miss a beat. Although Hidetora is elderly, Nakadai was actually in his early fifties when the film was made. Kudos to the make-up department for their successful transformation. The most stunning performance is given by Mieko Harada, who portrays Taro's wife, Lady Kaede. She seems like the stereotype of the feudal Japanese woman (demure, delicate and soft-spoken), but she's a master manipulator and politically ruthless. Only at the end do we discover her true motives. "Vicious" doesn't begin to describe her. The only character that doesn't work is Pita, who plays Kyoami the fool. Rather than being the comic relief, he's simply irritating.
Is "Ran" worth seeing? That's a good question. It is considered a classic, so if you do see it, you will be taken seriously by cinephiles and film historians. On a technical level, it is a marvel. It is masterfully constructed and visually sumptuous. But boy, does it take a lot of effort to get through it.
Starring: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryu, Mieko Harada, Pita
Rated R (probably for Graphic Violence)
There comes a time in everyone's life where they have to decide whether to be safe and go with popular opinion or open yourself to criticism by going against the grain. For a film critic, it's difficult to be honest when you didn't like a movie that is universally considered a classic. I mean, would anyone take me seriously if I said that "Casablanca" is an overblown bore? It's not, but you get my point. Such is the case with "Ran." Directed by the legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa, it's a beloved war epic. While there are parts of the film that are excellent, bordering on brilliant, the film as a whole isn't all that its reputation suggests.
Lord Hidetora (Nakadai) is growing older. Sensing that his time in this earthly realm is drawing to a close (his energy and vitality are decreasing, and his memory is not the best), he decides to split his kingdom between his three sons: Taro (Terao), Jiro (Nezu), and Saburo (Ryu). Hidetora will be ruler in name only, but his power will go to his oldest son Taro, and each son will get a castle. When his youngest son, Saburo, points out the folly in this decision, Hidetora is insulted and banishes him. Saburo's warning proves to be prescient, as both Taro and Jiro vie for complete control of the land. Meanwhile, Hidetora is cast out by both of his older sons and with nowhere else to go, begins to lose his mind.
Although this has similarities to William Shakespeare's tragedy "King Lear," it's not a strict retelling. Kurosawa drew on old Japanese myths and historical figures, and the story grew into a similar story. This isn't the first time that Kurosawa used the Bard as the basis for a film; "Throne of Blood" is a retelling of "Macbeth." However, there are elements of that play that found their way into this film.
In general, "Ran" has two modes: thrilling and tedious. The first descriptor refers to the visuals and the battle scenes. This movie looks incredible. It's awash in vibrant colors, complex choreography, and brilliantly composed shots. Shockingly, Kurosawa's vision had almost completely deteriorated by the time the film was made. He was only able to frame his shots with the help of his assistants, who used his storyboards to compose them. Although this was the director's last epic, it wasn't his last film. He continued making movies until 1993, five years before his death. You gotta hand it to him for his skill and dedication; his wife tragically died during filming as well (he halted filming for a day to mourn, then continued on).
The latter refers to the plot. It's not the material that's boring; epic tragedies make for great filmmaking if done right. But Kurosawa so strenuously avoids any manipulation that it's hard to become invested in what's going on. Many older films, particularly artistically-inclined ones, are emotionally sterile; as if they are considered "less than" if they are easily accessible and emotionally manipulative (which is, of course, completely ludicrous). That stereotype applies here. The characters are finely acted but contain little depth. In fact, there are times when they seem to be acting on a stage, which takes us out of the moment.
The performances are solid, with a few standouts. Tatsuya Nakadai is excellent as the mentally decaying lord. At the outset, Hidetora seems a little befuddled, but still sound of mind. But the tragedies he endures push him into madness. Nakadai doesn't miss a beat. Although Hidetora is elderly, Nakadai was actually in his early fifties when the film was made. Kudos to the make-up department for their successful transformation. The most stunning performance is given by Mieko Harada, who portrays Taro's wife, Lady Kaede. She seems like the stereotype of the feudal Japanese woman (demure, delicate and soft-spoken), but she's a master manipulator and politically ruthless. Only at the end do we discover her true motives. "Vicious" doesn't begin to describe her. The only character that doesn't work is Pita, who plays Kyoami the fool. Rather than being the comic relief, he's simply irritating.
Is "Ran" worth seeing? That's a good question. It is considered a classic, so if you do see it, you will be taken seriously by cinephiles and film historians. On a technical level, it is a marvel. It is masterfully constructed and visually sumptuous. But boy, does it take a lot of effort to get through it.
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