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Leann 2022-01-20 08:01:37

Kurosawa's films have various themes. This one is actually about politics and is an anti-corruption film. It is nearly 40 years before China began to have corruption-related TV dramas in the 1990s.

The protagonist is still Toshiro Mifune. He is all-rounder like the director. He can fly and be calm, but domineering and weak. In this film, he wears black-rimmed glasses and plays the role of a son-in-law who bears his father’s vengeance and does not share the sky. He is deliberately planning a revenge plan. It is also easy to do. The plot of the film has twists and turns. At the beginning, the protagonist has control over everything, accidentally revealing flaws, almost to death, and then turning around, regaining the initiative in danger, and almost showing the crime to the world, but he is murdered by the vice president of the villain; Almost a step away, the wicked man was broken by his children, and in front of a larger backstage, the wicked man was just a puppet, a pawn.

The failure of the protagonist Itakura was also due to the fact that he had a true relationship with the enemy's daughter Nishikako in the process of revenge, and the ensuing compassion weakened the vengeance of revenge, leading to failure.

In the words of the protagonist, “the law cannot punish them. If you want to sanction them, you can only become a bad person like them.” The protagonist did not become such a bad person in the end.

There is a passage in the film about a civil servant who suspended his death, hiding in the dark, observing the hypocritical performance of his boss at his fake funeral, which has a very good comedic effect.

There is another scene in the film: Itakura and his friend Nishi are standing on a ruin. Speaking of childhood memories and the growth they witnessed to each other, they sighed and said, "Fifteen years." I want to sigh for "twenty" years, the beauty that I have longed for, and my selfless efforts have been easily trampled by others. Can't help but believe that "any selfless thing in the world will be easily trampled on."

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Extended Reading
  • Arielle 2022-03-19 09:01:08

    Comparing with Denis's "Asshole" shows the difference in film noir in the context of the East and the West, but Akira Kurosawa wants to teach you how to be a man every minute. A bow at the end adds one point

  • Jairo 2022-03-14 14:12:27

    On the big screen, I can’t recognize that the man wearing glasses is Mr. Senya. No wonder, he is a lover at Mizoguchi Naruse!! Miss Kagawa is unchanged for 60 years. Recently I saw it in the new documentary of Mr. Mifune. She is as elegant as ever, too amazing, her beauty has not faded!! 8.9/10

The Bad Sleep Well quotes

  • Assistant-to-the-Chief Wada: I met the young lady twice while planning the wedding. She's a genuinely sweet person. When I think of her agony, I wish a peaceful resolution were possible.

    Itakura: Unfortunately there just isn't any way. That man's evil! If we hesitate, we're finished.

  • Administrative Officer Moriyama: [imprisoned inside a locked room] Cut the crap! You've starved me for two whole days!

    Koichi Nishi: Would you like to eat?

    Administrative Officer Moriyama: Of course!

    Koichi Nishi: We haven't got much to offer. You like ham and eggs on toast?

    Administrative Officer Moriyama: Anything!

    Koichi Nishi: [opening up the locked door and showing him the pan of food] Ham and eggs on toast will run you 15 million.

    Administrative Officer Moriyama: 15 million?

    Koichi Nishi: Surely you're not shocked! 'Always get a kickback!' That's your policy, isn't it?