Postwar Kurosawa: Disc 3: Scandal

This disc includes the 1950 film "Scandal (Shubun)."

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» Reviewed by 2 people

Definitely a wonderful film, but unfortunately Scandal feels much more like the American films of the era than any of Kurosawa's other work, and most certainly the most western influenced than any of his films that follow. He used a montage on more than one occasion, in addition to including the sort of sentimental music you would likely find in many of the American productions during the 40s and 50s. It simply didn't feel very much like a Japanese film from the era, but particularly unlike a Kurosawa film. Now of course that's not necessarily a bad thing. You really can't go wrong with a 29-year-old semi-rebellious motorcycle riding Toshiro Mifune. Even in these early years of his career he had already fine tuned many of the physical characteristics and mannerisms that helped set him apart. We also get to enjoy a really superb performance from Takashi Shimura. The rest of the cast is equally as strong, as should always be expected from Kurosawa. The man was a master at nearly all aspects of filmmaking, but I personally admire his ability to cast every roll to perfection. I certainly wouldn't rank this amongst my favorite Kurosawa projects, and indeed would probably place it towards the bottom. Then again it's still getting a very strong 4-star rating from me.
- Photo Heathen

The recently released Post-War Kurosawa set includes several films that are not available on dvd elsewhere. Scandal is one of them. It stars a very young Toshiro Mifune, who had already perfected his bewildered head scratch, and the wonderful Takashi Shimura as his run-down lawyer. The story leaves a bit to be desired, but it still has plenty of Kurosawa's typical philosophical dialogue and themes like the scene in the bar when everyone starts singing and wishing for a better life. I wouldn't emphatically recommend Scandal, but as a Kurosawa and Mifune fan, it is essential viewing. If you haven't taken advantage of it, I would recommend watching all of the films in the Post-War Kurosawa Box Set (No Regrets for Our Youth, One Wonderful Sunday, The Idiot, I Live in Fear).
- pterosaur