I was a bit disappointed with this film (the reason I have given it 10 out of 10 is that a disappointing Kurasawa film is better than most others) - I was expecting something a bit more dynamic, another "Stray Dog" perhaps. To me it was a bit too sentimental - there is a scene in a tavern on Christmas Eve that seemed to go on to eternity. Another reason I am giving it 10 stars is due to the magnificent performance of Takashi Shimura as the down at heel lawyer battling with his own inner demons and ultimately triumphing.
He and Toshiro Mifune were a screen team - "Stray Dog" and "I Live in Fear" among others. Mifune plays a young motor cycle riding artist who gives a shy young girl a lift as they just happen to be going to the same mountain retreat. It just so happens that she is a popular singer who is publicity shy so the paparazzi have staked out her destination just waiting for the right picture. The couple find they have adjoining rooms and while innocently looking over the balcony they are photographed and Amor, a tell all gossip magazine, prints a lurid story of their "affair". Aoyke (Mifune) is all for suing, Miyako is too shy. Enter a ramshackle lawyer, Hiruta, who is just itching to take on the case, but when Aoyke visits his "office" the story is too plain, he is nowhere in sight, the "office" is on the roof and the table is littered with betting forms and a booklet on how to grow rich!!!
Hiruta has a sickly daughter, who is dying of TB but Aoyke is amazed at her beautiful way of looking at the world and with Miyako, as well as Sumie, a sassy artist's model, they become like a family, trying to ease her life with little gifts. Christmas is wonderful, Aoyke provides a tree and decorations, Miyako sings carols but Hiruta can't face them and causes a scene. He has been "got at" by the other side, who have realised his many weaknesses and have given him money in return for an out of court settlement. In a very touching scene Masako is afraid her father has gone wrong and is ashamed of the good things her new friends are doing for her. Aokye confesses that he knows something is not right with her father but will try to keep him on the right path.
When Masako dies Hiruta faces up to his responsibilities and goes to the court determined to do right for the memory of Masako. Even though he doesn't enter the story until half an hour has passed, Shimura's performance is riveting and his final moments in court where he faces up to the jeerers and mockers is unforgettable.
He and Toshiro Mifune were a screen team - "Stray Dog" and "I Live in Fear" among others. Mifune plays a young motor cycle riding artist who gives a shy young girl a lift as they just happen to be going to the same mountain retreat. It just so happens that she is a popular singer who is publicity shy so the paparazzi have staked out her destination just waiting for the right picture. The couple find they have adjoining rooms and while innocently looking over the balcony they are photographed and Amor, a tell all gossip magazine, prints a lurid story of their "affair". Aoyke (Mifune) is all for suing, Miyako is too shy. Enter a ramshackle lawyer, Hiruta, who is just itching to take on the case, but when Aoyke visits his "office" the story is too plain, he is nowhere in sight, the "office" is on the roof and the table is littered with betting forms and a booklet on how to grow rich!!!
Hiruta has a sickly daughter, who is dying of TB but Aoyke is amazed at her beautiful way of looking at the world and with Miyako, as well as Sumie, a sassy artist's model, they become like a family, trying to ease her life with little gifts. Christmas is wonderful, Aoyke provides a tree and decorations, Miyako sings carols but Hiruta can't face them and causes a scene. He has been "got at" by the other side, who have realised his many weaknesses and have given him money in return for an out of court settlement. In a very touching scene Masako is afraid her father has gone wrong and is ashamed of the good things her new friends are doing for her. Aokye confesses that he knows something is not right with her father but will try to keep him on the right path.
When Masako dies Hiruta faces up to his responsibilities and goes to the court determined to do right for the memory of Masako. Even though he doesn't enter the story until half an hour has passed, Shimura's performance is riveting and his final moments in court where he faces up to the jeerers and mockers is unforgettable.