Time: 143 Minutes
Age Rating: PG – Low level offensive language
Cast:
Takashi Shimura as Kanji Watanabe
Miki Odagiri as Toyo Odagiri
Director: Akira Kurosawa

Ikiru was one of the earlier films I watched from Akira Kurosawa, and it was truly phenomenal. I was able to rewatch it in cinemas and that was an amazing experience.

Ikiru is an intimate heartfelt human film about a dying man struggling with the time he has left. It’s a timeless, earnest and human movie about mortality, regret, the meaning of life, and what it means to actually live. It’s genuinely moving throughout, and is engaging to watch from beginning to end.

The acting from everyone is stellar, but especially from Takashia Shimura as protagonist Kanji Watanabe. His performance is tremendous, he carries such a believable sadness and he so effectively conveys his change over the course of the movie.

Akira Kurosawa’s direction is outstanding as to be expected. The cinematography is amazing with beautiful black and white photography, and the editing is stellar with many memorable sequences.

Ikiru is a moving and emotional yet optimistic and heartfelt reflection on life and morality, beautifully directed by Akira Kurosawa and with a stellar lead performance from Takashi Shimura.