I Live in Fear (1955)

Viewed on DVD. Restoration = nine (9) stars. What to do if you fear imminent nuclear annihilation and have no interest in sharing an underground bomb shelter with your extended family? This film offers up an alternative "solution" which is no longer an option today. An above average "modern" Kurosawa movie with a solid script (Kurosawa is but one of four credited writers which seems to have held in check his tendency to write silliness into scripts) and taught direction (and editing). Large ensemble of actors provides an across-the-board set of believable characters with which the viewer can easily bond. Toshiro Mifune delivers an outstanding performance that is so unusual and atypical that viewers might want to double check the opening credits to ensure that Mifune is, indeed, the lead actor! Dialog is crisp and clearly enunciated by all performers except Mifune who delivers his characteristic mumbling staccato barks. Intentionally or not, the film depicts dental hygiene as being essentially nonexistent at the time. Of special interest are Tokyo street scenes circa 1954 shown under the opening credits. (All the men seem to be in shirtsleeves on the streets, but not in the film.) Cinematography is fine as are the subtitles (they are most needed when Mifune is speaking). Music consists of two stunning theremin micro concerts during the opening and closing credits (and a bit beyond). Restoration is outstanding except for a few wear lines here and there. The movie comes from the past, but is especially relevant, since the fear remains ever present and continues into the future. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.

I was tempted to think, "It's his money. He should do what he wants." Unfortunately, life is complicated. The old man owns a foundry and, hence, he has numerous workers and his own family dependent on him. Add to this his mortal fear of an H-bomb attack that will wipe out the entire country. His research tells him that South America will probably survive and so he sets about trying to buy a farm in Brazil. This sets things in motion as the family works the system to get him declared incompetent, thereby taking control of his money and property from him. The hearing that leads to this takes much of the film, but the rest is about families and what happens to families when avarice sets in. Of course, there is no denying that his decision will have a devastating effect on everyone. Each has his or her reasons for acting as they do and most are legitimate. They don't see a nuclear attack as imminent. and they don't want to go to Brazil. As one would suspect, things go from bad to worse. There are no winners. This 1955 film is probably the first anti-nuke film from Japan (not counting Godzilla and its ilk). It is filled with those wonderful Kurosawa images. It's an excellent study in human nature with some tragic implications.

"I Live in Fear" is a thought-provoking, moving film about love, greed and fear, framed as only Kurosawa could. If you're a fan it's a must see, as it explores new and old themes in a stark, interesting manner. Excellent acting through-out, and please look carefully--Mifune wears no make-up, just huge glasses and a perpetual scowl; his talent and intensity were all he needed. This film also gives us an interesting look at Japan after the bomb, and the different ways people chose to deal with the fear they all in fact felt. The film does not judge, sympathizing with the children even as it highlights their selfishness. A good movie to make you think about where we've been, and where we might be headed.

This movie should be seen by everyone. It is a very dark comedy (my personal favorite kind). You can see a summary of the story elsewhere. Suffice it to say, in black and white, in Japanese, it is still gripping, haunting, etc. You will watch and think: who is right? The old man or his children? You will smile as you begin to realize that this is a story of an entirely honest and loving man who is far saner than the rest of them, all of whom consider him insane. A beautiful film.