tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573438243257723411.post8234098359784181415..comments2024-01-20T03:22:00.102-05:00Comments on Criterion Reflections: The Human Condition Part 3 (1961) - #480David Blakesleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167200509158903679noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573438243257723411.post-26965917231808962382012-01-13T07:58:31.973-05:002012-01-13T07:58:31.973-05:00Prior to The Human Condition, Nakadai's roles ...Prior to The Human Condition, Nakadai's roles had been, by his own description, characters who looked askance at humanity, more cynical, petty criminal or malcontent types. So he was challenged at first to portray someone of such pure intention, so confident in the virtuous power of his ideals. But he modeled himself after Kobayashi, as he quickly realized that the film of The Human Condition was based as much on the director's life experience and perspective as it was the popular novel of the same name. (Fortunately, Kobayashi's perspective was very similar to that of novelist Gomikawa Junpei.) Give credit to Nakadai for his ability to pick up on the director's vision and to stretch himself to incredible lengths to pull off a thoroughly demanding and outstanding screen performance. <br /><br />Hideko Takamine's role is important for its part in the film but relatively brief. She's the female leader of a group of refugee women who have taken up residence in an abandoned village. When Kaji and his men discover this gathering of desperate women without male companionship (except for the old man Chishu Ryu, kind of a paternal guardian figure), of course they're all overtaken by lustful cravings as night falls. All except the faithful and single-minded Kaji, of course, even though he's openly propositioned by beautiful Hideko! I won't say more about what happens, that may be too much of a spoiler already, but it's an excellent role for her following When A Woman Ascends The Stairs and the rest of her run of collaborations with Naruse throughout the 50s that preceded that film. And she does get a subdued star entrance as her first appearance on screen is nicely framed and the audience has a moment to say, "ahh, Hideko!" with a grateful smile to see their beloved icon again. :)David Blakesleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12167200509158903679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573438243257723411.post-10135459405404450212012-01-13T00:38:16.967-05:002012-01-13T00:38:16.967-05:00I have not seen the movie yet,so I'm gonna tal...I have not seen the movie yet,so I'm gonna talk about the actors.Tatsuya Nakadai is one of my fav Japanese actors,he came to China a few months ago,when an art cinema in Beijing showed his Kagemusha,it's a pity I didn't go.<br /><br />I don't know if Hideko Takamine is a lead in it,I like her performance in Mikio Naruse's Floating Clouds very much.Davidhttp://www.tasteofcinema.com/noreply@blogger.com