Through the tragic tale of a samurai, this movie effectively delivers social commentary on the class system in Japan and the social immobility it has engendered as well as the effects of depression.
Due to the strict hierarchical nature of the society he lived in, Mikisaburo was destined for a life of low standing. His birth, not he, determined what his life would be like. Since he did not have the ability to alter his life, his life became meaningless. It is only when he gives in to this nihilism is he able to escape the constraints of society, catalyzed of course by his literal ousting from the society by Genzaburo and his men. Since he is no longer part of that society, he is no longer confined by its mores or doctrines. Thus, rather than being acted upon like previously, he is now able to take his life into his own hands and become the actor.
It is at the very end when he is able to break free from the chains of society. But what did it matter. As young man, he had hoped to restore the reputation of his family. Since he was still a part of that system then, that would actually mean something. But now, as an outsider, it was all meaningless. His life would not benefit in any way.
Although immobilized by his society, Mikisaburo was also ineffectual in bringing about change early on due to his bout with depression. That state of mind had ruined him. He had no social standing, he lost his mother, and his sister had lost her honor. All this, and his inability to do anything about, made him lose hope. That naïve optimism of his was replaced with a lack of self-worth and complete loss of motivation. He had been psychologically crippled. It is only in his drunken stupor that he is able to actually accomplish anything.
Overall, the film consisted primarily of still and tracking shots. The framing of each shot held significance and the background score really added to the feel and message of the movie. Overall, the movie was technically sound. Some scenes, like the mother's death, could have been better shot and presented. However, it did not significantly detract from the movie. The acting was also natural for the most part. There were some kabuki influences present within the film, particularly in the last scene where Mikisaburo's face is covered with excessive, exaggerated makeup. There, realism was of course sacrificed in favor of the symbolism that kabuki visual added to the movie.
Due to the strict hierarchical nature of the society he lived in, Mikisaburo was destined for a life of low standing. His birth, not he, determined what his life would be like. Since he did not have the ability to alter his life, his life became meaningless. It is only when he gives in to this nihilism is he able to escape the constraints of society, catalyzed of course by his literal ousting from the society by Genzaburo and his men. Since he is no longer part of that society, he is no longer confined by its mores or doctrines. Thus, rather than being acted upon like previously, he is now able to take his life into his own hands and become the actor.
It is at the very end when he is able to break free from the chains of society. But what did it matter. As young man, he had hoped to restore the reputation of his family. Since he was still a part of that system then, that would actually mean something. But now, as an outsider, it was all meaningless. His life would not benefit in any way.
Although immobilized by his society, Mikisaburo was also ineffectual in bringing about change early on due to his bout with depression. That state of mind had ruined him. He had no social standing, he lost his mother, and his sister had lost her honor. All this, and his inability to do anything about, made him lose hope. That naïve optimism of his was replaced with a lack of self-worth and complete loss of motivation. He had been psychologically crippled. It is only in his drunken stupor that he is able to actually accomplish anything.
Overall, the film consisted primarily of still and tracking shots. The framing of each shot held significance and the background score really added to the feel and message of the movie. Overall, the movie was technically sound. Some scenes, like the mother's death, could have been better shot and presented. However, it did not significantly detract from the movie. The acting was also natural for the most part. There were some kabuki influences present within the film, particularly in the last scene where Mikisaburo's face is covered with excessive, exaggerated makeup. There, realism was of course sacrificed in favor of the symbolism that kabuki visual added to the movie.
