Friday, April 24, 2009
FABLE-U-LOUS
Today's NYTimes Best 1176 Film was
Ugetsu monogatari / Ugetsu (1953)A Japanese film. A classic. OK. Like a fable.
Two brothers get all grandiose and seek riches as war profiteers. Their wives warn them. They all get separated.
All hell ensues although they do get their wishes for awhile. One gets it on with a beautiful lady (photo) but she turns out to be an evil spirit. The other gets to be a two bit Samurai but finds his wife in the whorehouse his troop stays in during the night. Better off than the first wife who dies.
It is one of those films that is "interesting" rather than involving.
I cannot relish the cinematography here because I don't think it was a great print even though a Criterion restoration.
The story is one of those fantasy/reality/ghost things. I am not particularly fond of the genré and since this is the masterpiece of the lot, it just managed to pass muster with me.
Also has the twanging music. I can't get down with it.
So, it had me most of the time and I liked it moderately. I will give it a 3 out of Netflix5.
Labels: best films
