Sunset's breeze blows the fallen cherry blossoms, so why does Mifune still wear his hat. It is no longer to hide his Bergeracian nose. Mifune can play humor but more the clown than the wit, more sancho than Don. His beastial vitality makes him an awkward Cyrano, especially in the theater scene in which he comes off as more a bully when punishing an actress who dared perform on the aniversary of the death of her old lord, unifier of Japan, Hideyoshi.
The old actress begs protection from the Tokugawa clan. The lovely young lady begs Mifune to protect a young samurai she loves. This will not ultimately be possible as the Tokugawa clan hunts down their enemies over a decade. Inagaki takes too few liberties and the final recognition of Mifune's voice reeks of theatricality. But Mifune offers a lovely 'reading' of the line in his letter about never more tracing his lady's vision. He goes on the die melodramatically on screen. The reading of that line before her recognition scene would have made the stronger ending.
The old actress begs protection from the Tokugawa clan. The lovely young lady begs Mifune to protect a young samurai she loves. This will not ultimately be possible as the Tokugawa clan hunts down their enemies over a decade. Inagaki takes too few liberties and the final recognition of Mifune's voice reeks of theatricality. But Mifune offers a lovely 'reading' of the line in his letter about never more tracing his lady's vision. He goes on the die melodramatically on screen. The reading of that line before her recognition scene would have made the stronger ending.
No comments:
Post a Comment