Movie No. 3 (2019): RASHOMON

Rashomon (1951)
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Cast: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Machiko Kyo
In Japanese, with English subtitles

The movie is an examination of truth. It suggests that truth is relative. It depends on who tells and interprets it. Using flashback and wonderful camera works, the movie masterfully tells what may or may not have happened as regard the murder of a merchant. There are several versions of truth that surface during the investigation. The accused, who is a bandit, confesses that he indeed murdered the merchant, giving some details that don't agree with the version of the story of the dead man's wife. Then, another witness (a firewood gatherer) has his own version of the incident. Even the dead man, through a medium, shares his version of what happened. 

The storytelling is fluid. The cinematography (perfect framing and well-composed images) enhance the viewing experience. Of course, Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura are as ever reliable as in the other Kurosawa movies that cast them.

This is only my second viewing of the movie. I saw it first in 1990s. It is only during this second viewing that I noticed a Bolero-sounding score on the background of some important scenes. In my opinion, the sight-and-sound synergy of those scenes really worked wonders. 

Rating: 4.0/4.0

Date seen : January 13, 2019