Film Review : Rashoman

I decided to view the movie "Rashoman" which was directed by Akira Kurosawa. This movie was surprisingly good, it had many twists and turns which allowed even a black and white film a chance against the larger color movies. The movie employed a certain "Clue" aspect because it involved many different characters witnessing the same event but telling very different accounts. The basic story line is that a local woodsmen ventures into the forest in search of kindling and wood but instead finds something much more horrifying. A brutally murdered samurai lays at the side of the path. The Woodsmen quickly runs and notifies the proper authorities, who then find 3 other witnesses to the immediate crime. The movie continues with each of the witnesses' accounts. The director uses flashback to the retell each of the character's stories. This I thought was a very effective way with which to approach the story line. The character's perspectives are all completely different which makes the movie always suspenseful. The experience during the movie could be comparable to a puzzle piece egg hunt. It is like this because with every new piece found, another dimension of the story is uncovered. Even though the filming is in black and white the director is able to use different shades of light to reflect the general mood of the characters. The setting is in three locations, the woods, the police station and the run down monastery. The movie's basic idea looks like just a piece together situation but if you look deep down into the story line it does a wonderful job highlighting the true nature of human beings. The priest played by Minoru Chiaki symbolizes an innocent bystander and his loss of hope for humanity. The bandit played by Toshiro Mifune symbolizes someone who acts purely on human desires and feels no guilt for his actions. The woodcutter played by Takashi Shinmura symbolizes a true human being who does sin but feels guilt and shame for what he has done. The wife played by Machiko Kyo is a mixed representation of women and deception. The samurai played by Masayuki Mori represents the ways of old nobility and pride. The combination of all different class systems and wide array of motives provides the movie with a twisting and interesting plot. This movie overall was superb and had a great life meaning as well. I really enjoyed this movie and I don't think i would have ever seen it unless it was for this project.