Based on the Maxim Gorky play of the same name, Akira Kurosawa's version of this story of a group of depressed people living in a desolate building amidst the poor sections of Japan. I'm not sure if Gorky intended this story to be so miserable and depressing, but Kurosawa definitely succeeded in bringing that feeling to life all throughout the story. Kurosawa never lets the camera leave the setting of the old, beaten-down house where all these characters reside, which only adds to the desolation and futility of the characters.
Probably the biggest problem here is the balance to which Kurosawa decided to unfold this story. As much as he was being faithful, the only part of the plot that was interesting at all was the love triangle between the thief Suteikichi, and the sisters Okayo and Osugi, the landlady. The tension between the three is phenomenal, and Toshiro Mifune gives a startling performance as the sensitive thief desperate to change his ways for the love of one woman but stuck with the history of another.
However, all other aspects of the story pale in comparison to this subplot. There are some comical touches throughout and the actors are all quite good, but in the end I felt underwhelmed at how it all played out and disappointed with how the triangle was handled. So, if you are a fan of Kurosawa's other work, this is worth checking out, but maybe only once.
Probably the biggest problem here is the balance to which Kurosawa decided to unfold this story. As much as he was being faithful, the only part of the plot that was interesting at all was the love triangle between the thief Suteikichi, and the sisters Okayo and Osugi, the landlady. The tension between the three is phenomenal, and Toshiro Mifune gives a startling performance as the sensitive thief desperate to change his ways for the love of one woman but stuck with the history of another.
However, all other aspects of the story pale in comparison to this subplot. There are some comical touches throughout and the actors are all quite good, but in the end I felt underwhelmed at how it all played out and disappointed with how the triangle was handled. So, if you are a fan of Kurosawa's other work, this is worth checking out, but maybe only once.