Akira Kurosawa has been my favorite filmmaker since I first saw The Seven Samurai almost 20 years ago. After slowly working through all his films, I have actually found one I didn't like. I watched Dodes'ka-den last night, and I never felt so detached and bored with the characters. Kurosawa certainly ventured into unknown territory while making this movie. There is no plot. None of the characters are interesting, nor bear any real redeeming qualities. I found myself reading the film's trivia on my phone more than watching this movie. I can tell Kurosawa's head was not in the game while directing this movie. And sadly, Dodes-ka-den ruined him financially and resulted in his 1971 suicide attempt. I think this could have been a really great movie if the focus was on just one or two characters, versus making an ensemble piece of despicable people. The Autistic kid with the imaginary trolley car is far more interesting than the delusional homeless man with the sick kid or wife-swapping drunks. It was a lost opportunity. 5/10.
Review of Dodes'ka-den
