I recently watched “High and Low” by the legendary director Akira Kurosawa, and I have to say, it’s one of the most intense and thought-provoking films I’ve seen in a while. The film tells the story of a wealthy businessman, Kingo Gondo, who is willing to risk everything to hold onto his financial empire. But when his son is kidnapped and held for ransom, Gondo is forced to make a series of tough decisions that test his morality and his understanding of the class divide in his society.
One of the things that struck me most about “High and Low” was the way it depicted the class divide in Japanese society. Gondo, as a successful businessman, lives in a world of luxury and privilege, while the kidnappers and their victims exist in a world of poverty and desperation. The film doesn’t shy away from showing the stark contrast between the two worlds, and it makes for some incredibly powerful scenes.
Kurosawa also does an excellent job of building suspense throughout the film. The tension is palpable from the moment Gondo receives the ransom demand, and it only gets more intense as the story progresses. The film also explores the theme of morality, as Gondo is forced to weigh the value of his son’s life against his own financial gain. It’s a powerful and thought-provoking story that left me questioning my own values and beliefs.
The performances in the film are also top-notch. Toshiro Mifune, who stars as Gondo, gives an incredibly nuanced and powerful performance. He perfectly captures the character’s inner turmoil and moral dilemma. The rest of the cast also delivers strong performances, making the film all the more believable and emotionally impactful.
In conclusion, “High and Low” is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores themes of class divide, morality, and the cost of success. The film is expertly directed by Akira Kurosawa and features incredible performances by the cast. It’s a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll and it’s a must-watch for anyone interested in the crime genre or the work of Kurosawa.
The use of brilliant investigative techniques shown in the movie.
High and Low is a film that showcases the use of brilliant investigative techniques that are now commonly used in many films. The story revolves around a wealthy businessman, Kingo Gondo, who is faced with a difficult decision when his son is kidnapped and held for ransom. The film follows Gondo and the police as they work to track down the kidnappers and rescue the boy.
One of the key elements of the film is the use of meticulous and methodical investigative techniques. Throughout the film, Gondo and the police are shown using a variety of tactics to gather information and build a case against the kidnappers. This includes things like surveillance, undercover operations, and forensic analysis. These techniques are shown in great detail, and it’s clear that the filmmakers put a lot of thought and research into how the investigation would be carried out in real life.
The film also uses a lot of tense and suspenseful scenes to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. The kidnappers are shown to be smart and resourceful, making it difficult for Gondo and the police to track them down. The film uses a variety of cinematic techniques such as non-linear storytelling, flashbacks and jump cuts to create a sense of uncertainty and keep the audience guessing.
The shooting of the most important scene, Kurosawa style.
One of the most important scenes in the movie is the scene where Kingo Gondo, the protagonist, is faced with the decision of whether or not to pay the kidnappers’ ransom for his son. This scene is significant because it is the turning point of the film, and it is where Gondo is forced to make a moral decision that will ultimately define his character.
The scene is shot in a masterful way, with the use of close-ups of Gondo’s face, which show his inner turmoil and the weight of his decision. The camera work also uses a lot of shot reverse shots, which gives the audience a sense of the tension between Gondo and the other characters in the scene. The use of silence and the minimalist score also adds to the atmosphere of the scene, making it even more intense.
In this scene, Gondo is presented with the choice of paying the ransom or risking the life of his son. He is also shown to be a man who is willing to go to any lengths to save his son, but at the same time, he is also shown to be a man of wealth and power who is not used to being in a vulnerable position. The scene is a turning point for Gondo, as he is forced to confront the reality of the class divide in his society and make a moral decision.
The significance of this scene is that it sets the stage for the rest of the film, and it is where Gondo’s character is defined. It shows that Gondo is not just a wealthy businessman, but a father who is willing to do anything to save his son. It also sets the stage for the theme of morality that runs throughout the film, as Gondo is forced to weigh the value of his son’s life against his own financial gain.
Why it is Kurosawa’s not so famous work.
As a big fan of Akira Kurosawa‘s films, I have to say that “High and Low” is considered as one of his lesser-known movies. The reason for this is that it was not as well-received as some of his other films like “Seven Samurai” or “Rashomon” upon its initial release. It was not as successful commercially, and it did not have the same cultural impact as some of his other films.
Another reason why “High and Low” is considered as one of his lesser-known films is that it is not as widely available as some of his other films. It is not as easily accessible on streaming platforms or in DVD/Blu-ray releases, which makes it harder to find and watch.
Additionally, the film is not as well-known among casual moviegoers, who are more familiar with his samurai films or his films that have been more widely distributed and popularized in Western countries.
However, despite being considered as one of his lesser-known films, “High and Low” is a powerful and thought-provoking film that explores themes of class divide, morality and the cost of success. The film is expertly directed by Akira Kurosawa and features incredible performances by the cast.
1 comment
Nice work