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Rhapsody in August Actors: Sachiko Murase, Richard Gere Director: Akira Kurosawa Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Format: Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Running Time: 98 minutes Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2004-09-07 Buy from Amazon |
 "A Masterpiece"Nothing minor about this film. Slow and talky in Hollywood-speak, this is a leisurely, intelligent exploration of the impact of war on one family fifty years later. And that leisurely pace leads up to one of the most stunning and unforgettable conclusions in the history of film.  "Precious and Respectful"Thank you, Akira. You have looked into the hearts and souls of those affected by war - and all are. Your approach has been objective, clear and without a need to strive for shining, polished work. Thank you Sachiko Murase (Kana), this was probably the most important film that you ever did. You characterized a person that is able in her old age to accept the truth to understand her own mistakes - to change and to move on. What a great role! Thank you, Richard Gere, this is probably your most important film as well. After this film the girls of all ages did not only want to be your girl-friend but also your granny ;)) "Autumn Radiance"I saw this film on the big screen and, as usual of most Akira Kurosawa's films, it left a lasting impression. Made in Kurosawa's twilight years, the film is aptly mellow and contemplative, reflecting as it is on one of the horrors of humankind - the Second World War culminating in the release of the atomic bomb. When this film was first released in US, it generated some controversy when US critics questioned Kurosawa's motivation in two comments in the film relating to the bombing. The critics should not have been concerned, the film's theme indeed is one of reconciliation and bridge-building, laying no blame on the US but the evils of war. The film is skilful in the way it draws the viewer into the children's discovery and realisation of the horror of the bombing as experienced by their grandmother. The viewer could feel the same anticipation and mystery as the children in their attempt to fathom the old lady. The film is also delightful in its quiet satire on the middle generation. Indeed, Rhapsody is a very good film that is every bit an enjoyment of Kurosawa's mastery of story-telling. It has a pace and richness that flow with the excitement of a child's adventure of discovery. And I must say the film contains one of the most indelible images of the film medium when the viewer finally sees what the grandmother and her brother saw on that fateful day in August. Rhapsody is indeed a fitting completion to the huge and beautiful spectrum of great films from this great, great director. "Far from slow and minor"To those hollywood goers not used to seeing masterpieces by directors who go for intellectual and emotional punch over visual punch, this movie would be "slow" and "minor." Kurosawa did a magnificent job of conveying the emotional, socio-polotical and historical impacts of the WWII bombings in Japan. In an industry often saturated with directors who appeal to those who crave visual candy (Jurassic Park, for example), this movie is a standout of what directors CAN achieve using few special effects, other than their heart, their soul, their mastery of the camera and dialogue. A beautiful film which portrays an intricate interweaving of new and old that so characterises modern-day Japanese society, even in a universally tragic topic such as war. Not a typical Kurosawa "epic film," as in Seven Samurai, but definately huge, and important, in many other ways. "wonderful movie"Wonderful Kurosawa, great plot and scenes. Kurosawa makes us remember the humanity and sensibility we lost to today's high-tech and individualistic life. The movie's score is also beautiful, especially the vocal music (a requiem I guess) at the scene where children visit the memorial . It would be lovely if somebody can comment to which composer this requiem belongs to. |
