Synopsis
Opening with a shot of an x-ray, showing the main character's stomach,
Ikiru tells the tale of a dedicated, downtrodden civil servant who, diagnosed with a fatal cancer, learns to change his dull, unfulfilled existence, and suddenly discovers a zest for life. Plunging first into self-pity, then a bout of hedonistic pleasure-seeking on the frenetic streets of post-war Tokyo, Watanabe – the film's hero – finds himself driven to give some meaning to his life, finally finding satisfaction through building a children's playground.
Ikiru (
To Live) stands out as an exception among
Kurosawa's films – it lacks violence and, although set in post-war Japan, does not involve crime. Beautifully played by
Takashi Shimura (who starred in 21 of
Kurosawa's films),
Ikiru is an intensely lyrical and moving film, and was one of
Kurosawa's own favourites.
