MovieChat Forums > Mâdadayo (1993) Discussion > I can't recommend this film

I can't recommend this film

posted 19 years ago by Pantdino
33 replies | jump to latest

Although I watch almost exclusively foreign and indie films, I'm afraid this one didn't work for me. In fact, despite the glowing reviews written by some on this site, I can't imagine that if someone else had written it it ever would have seen the light of day. I had just watched Ikiru, which I agree is a great film, and the contrast was marked. In comparison, Madadayo is pablum for children.

Chiefly, the scenes and film are too long. I kept waiting for something significant to happen or be said during the first Madadayo party, but it just ground on and on. This was representative of most the scenes, which were perhaps twice as long as necessary.

Secondary was the lack believability. Men do not stop eating and cry all day because the cat they had owned a short time disappears unless they are senile or suffer from mental illness. The viewer is not given any insight into why all these students worship this past professor. The fact that he is witty and tells jokes doesn't explain it, yet that's what we are apparently to believe.

In short, I see little in this film to recommend it.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] romipanchir 19 years ago

Ooooh! You watch only foreign and Indie films, that means you are better than me!
I haven't yet seen the movie, but the believability factor is the last thing that you should care about a comedy. Few comedies are legitimately believable.

[–] MaynardRules 19 years ago

Romipanchir, I don't know where to begin with your post.

You're defending a movie that you haven't even seen. For all you know, this movie could be the worst movie ever made. I think this movie is pretty good, but even I think their arguments have some validity.

You're arguing that few comedies are believable. Well, few movies are actually good. Maybe there is a connection here. This movie isn't even a comedy which makes your comments even more irrelevant.

I agree that starting a post by saying that you watch mostly foreign and independent films is a bit heavy-handed. Of course, when you say you don't like a movie by a foreign (read: non-USA) director, people tell you to go back to watching Hollywood schlock.

[–] za_kannushi 19 years ago

I agree. I saw this as a movie by an old man for an old audience. It is exploitatively sentimental, exceedingly slow-moving and excruciatingly boring. I'm sure I'll love it when I move into an old people's home. Until then, I find little value in this movie about young people respecting their elders silly whims and senile indulgences such as crying over a lost cat for several years. As far as I'm concerned, Kurosawa Akiras last movie was "Yume".

[–] thegreatmifune 19 years ago

This is a sad day for me. This was my 15th Kurosawa film to see and the 1st one I did not like. I wont say that it is a bad movie, but just extremely slow paced and no pay-off. I agree with the Users and thier comments above.

[–] csavemark 19 years ago

God damn it people. It is not a movie about samurai. It far from it. It is a movie that makes you want to cry. I came to think about "the Grave of the Fireflies" when I saw it.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] summitpulse 18 years ago

Well, I've not seen a Kurosawa before - maybe that's why I like Madadoyo! I value this movie just because of its slow pace, because things are subtle and may not be discovered before seeing the movie twice or more often. Movies are meant to take you places you'll otherwise never see. Isn't it great to leave our rush-hour life for a couple of hours?
The movie lacking conflict - maybe - the classic movie conflict. But what about the professor's personal conflict. The sensei feels he is loosing his face for the loss of a cat. That's just one of them - look close and you'll find more.

To me this film is a portrait of the social/value changes in Japan in the first halv of the 20th century. It also captures gratefulness and care for others - the old Japanese way. The movie is about tolerance and acceptance of other people's feelings, behavior and values. Those values might not be that important in the western world anymore - no reason not to make a movie about it in Japan.

Talking about watching foreign movies - aren't we from the west guests while watching movies from other cultures? Shouldn't we behave like guests and eat what we get served - meaning trying to learn to understand and tolerate? This movie might not seem believable in the US or Europe for most - I figure it's a question of personal references and a set of mind. Believe it or not.

Why do the students worship? To me it's obvious. For those who have trouble seeing it - imagine 'Madadoyo' as the sequel to 'Dead Poets Society' - moved to another time and country. Gettin' it?

I am grateful for diversity - and this movie makes cinema diverse. Respect Kurosawa!

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] jovos_suck123 17 years ago

its more ozu than kurosawa

and i prefer ozu..maybe why i like this one so much

[–] theshapeofpunktocome 18 years ago

you must know very little about japanese culture.

[–] matthewbellamy16 18 years ago

I dont think this movie is just for old people, I havent seen this for a while, but I saw it when I was about 12, and I have very fond memories of it. I pulled away some experiences from this film, It made me awful depressed too. You say such hurtful things about something you dont really understand.

[–] Fear_and_Loathing_62 18 years ago

I thought it was really good, but slow in many parts. It was very beautiful. The Characters in this film were great, the story just lacked a bit. But it is based on a true story, so it's hard to complain about the story.

I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man!

[–] kurtblirgrusom 17 years ago

I don't understand why people tries to protect this film from criticism, and i don't understand why offensive idiots like romipanchir, theshapeofpunktocome or farzhan even post on this board. This movie is nothing like the other movies of Kurosawa; there are no human, believeable characters, no engaging story, very few artfull scenes and a lot of akward situations (like the hysterical laughter or the idiotic singing).

Kurosawa's last film was Jume.

[–] farzhan 18 years ago

Oh no, Pantdino can't recommend this film, whatever shall we do?

Thanks for sharing Pan, I think Kurosawa's career earned one viewing of his final film from any self-respecting film buff regardless of your taste.

[–] jazz_man1 17 years ago

I accept some of your criticisms of Madadayo. You could say that it does tend to drag on in portions but maybe Kurosawa was trying to make a point about the life cycle and the descent into old age. Comparing Madadayo to Ikiru is slightly unfair as that film is one of Kurosawa's finest works but I wouldn't describe it as pablum (Pablum would be stuff like Uwe Boll or Arnold Schwarzenegger films). The part of the script concerning the cat was perhaps a bit exagerated but when you are really old and you don't have much in your life perhaps its not unexpected. I agree that more needed to be explained as to the relationship between the students and the professor. But maybe it didn't need to be explained, it just sort of happened with a reason or an explanation. I think the movie is strong in showing the decline of a traditional Japanese ethos and culture, but does it in a very subtle fashion (Kurosawa was a master of subtlety). I loved the part of the film when the Professor and his wife are bombed out of their house and Kurosawa shows the changes of the seasons with them homeless. It was a beautiful piece of photography, which is even more remarkable given the fact that Kurosawa's eyesight was failing (something that should be taken into consideration when reviewing Madadayo). I think the film is worth watching just for the majestic final scene with the children running through the haystacks. It's an absolutely incredible moment in film history. While it may not be amongst his greatest films, I still think Madadayo is a valuable film in the Kurosawa canon and I would recommend it.

[–] sauron-canada 17 years ago

No big bang explotion, makes USA artie viewers cry =(

[–] sebastianhennessy 17 years ago

Well on my side I thourght this movie was fantastic !!!! It is one of my fav Kurosawa ever.
Deep , touching , and poetic the perfect coda to Kurosawa's carrer.
The last scene in this movie , just gave me shivers and I could say went as far as been a spiritual experience .

[–] pywalkye2 16 years ago

I agree, the point is AFFECTION AFFECTIVE...for those who can really feel it...