The master Kurosawa

Rating: Null/10 (12 May 2002)

If a person only sees one Kurosawa film in his/her lifetime, or just one foreign movie in general, it should be none other than 'Ran'. It begins with warriors on horseback, watching the endless terrain for intruders. Haunting music plays in background, and one knows they are in for something special. No artificial light is used, which suggests a sense of realism most people aren't used to. The film is shot from an observational angle, letting the viewer make judgments about what is going on on the screen. An epic in every sense of the word, 'Ran' is the story of a Lord dividing his territory between his three sons. Ignoring the warning of his youngest son, Saburo, the Lord exiles him. Before he realizes what he has done, his oldest son turns against his father. What happens next will be nothing but chaos, just as the title suggests. The struggle for territorial domination turns even the brothers against each other, as they alienate their own father. 'Ran' has some of the most beautiful battle sequences ever filmed. One would think that watching dozens of being brutally slaughtered couldn't be beautiful, but one has to see this movie to believe it. Throughout the movie, shots of clouds are shown. Many people will think they are unnecessary, but as one watches the film more, they will realize the clouds represent the change of mood in story. In the beginning, they are beautiful and white, later on, they are dark and muddy. 'Ran' has also one of the most mischievous female characters created, Lady Kaede. The story is based on King Lear, but I'm willing to bet Kurosawa got the inspiration of Lady Kaede from Lady Macbeth. This woman will do anything and everything to have her way; putting on a false face and tears, sleep with her husband's brother, and order the death of an innocent woman. In the end, things get very bloody and a little confusing. It is a little difficult to tell who is doing what to who. Nonetheless, the final scene is hair-raising and unforgettable. Kurosawa is crying out, to either God or humanity, to save humanity from its endless cycle of killing and destruction.