Bad Sleep Well
"Warui Yatsu hodo Yoku Nemuru" (1950)
| Title: | Bad Sleep Well |
| Descriptor: | Mifune plays the character of Nishi, the newly wed husband of a corporate tycoon's daughter. What brilliantly unfolds is a complex plot to destroy the corporation, from the inside. This film is a brilliant social commentary by Kurosawa on the woes of corporations. It is a unique one, unlike the Sweat Shop arguement, it has the twist of post-war perspective on zaibatsus that were key instrumental to Japan's wartime effort, but managed to survive the war without much damage. Furthermore, it is a Hamlet like commentary on the dutiful son trying to avenge through hate, but realizing he cannot win without becoming like his foes -hateful. |
| Date Watched: | May 4, 2001 (or somewhere around then) |
| Comments: | I will be bluntly honest - I was really tired the night I watched this one. I made it through only the wedding scene. The second time around, however, I saw again, the human hero aspect of Kurosawa's protagonists. What is odd is that the most unexpected things become the hero's flaws. In this case, Mifune's character loves too much that it stands in the way of righteousness. What do make of that? Good and a characteristic valued strongly by the human race, love, in combat with each other? Mifune shines - he really is versatile! Gotta love him. |
