Title: Love and HonourRating (out of 100): 80
Mood: transported (travelled), reaffirmed faith in love
Timeout / Culture Critic: http://www.timeout.com/film/reviews/86453/love-and-honour.html / http://www.culturecritic.co.uk/cinema/love-and-honor/
(Japanese, subtitles) – Playing at the ICA, this is the last movie of the samurai trilogy by Yoji Yamada. It’s set in the time of the samurai in Japan and shows all of the rigid social rules and family relations of that time. Ultimately a love story, the movie examines how a man who previously had power and prestige through his work, struggles to form a new identity after suffering a setback. The film is interesting in its depiction of a range of emotions – some which are socially acceptable to display and others which one must hide. From an outside perspective, it seems that all the characters are ready to perform harakiri (self mutilation / suicide) at every slight disgrace. But, the reality that the characters feel that this is their only real option is the ultimate illumination for the audience in understanding the life of people in Japan at that time.
Overall, a bit of a samurai melodramatic love story, but one that is well-acted, beautiful, and a joy to watch. Just don’t expect anything incredibly insightful or intriguing.
No comments:
Post a Comment