3 years ago

@smallclone Good review. The ending might indeed come off as a bit abrupt, but I also think it was a very happy accident, as two sequels were planned for the film but never materialized due to worse than expected reception. *Definitely* an amazing film.<br /> <br /> As you mentioned, the sound editing, lighting/shadow work, and acting are all very polished. The metaphor use in the scene you mentioned is pretty overt, but there are others interspersed throughout the film that are more subtle. The use of surprise is also amazingly sophisticated (happens early on in the film, in a swordfight scene). In fact, I haven’t watched a jidaigeki, or perhaps any classic Japanese film, where I was unable to predict any of the plot development. It’s very fresh.<br /> <br /> Lastly, I think it should be added that the camera work and cinematography, particularly involving composition and small things like close-up framing or micromanaged backgrounds, is just breathtaking. Truly on a level of its own.<br /> <br /> This movie left me very pleasantly surprised and impressed, and I now am reconsidering how seriously to take canonical film recommendations about Japanese cinema, as this film definitely is much more sophisticated and technically polished than other jidaigeki I have seen (especially in how consistent it is in the quality, unlike even the best Kurosawa film - even the refined Ran has drops and rushed points in the plot, production, and acting).