Released as part of the Criterion Collection's extra-less Eclipse series, this set compiles some lesser-known works of the great Japanese director Masaki Kobayashi (The Human Condition, Kwaidan). Among the four films presented here, The Thick-Walled Room (1956) is the most visceral, detailing the emotional tumult and physical torment of lower-ranking Japanese soldiers imprisoned on war crimes charges. I Will Buy You (1956) provides a sour view of the business operations behind Japanese professional baseball, serving up a dark tale about a ruthless scout in obsessive pursuit of a talented young recruit. Black River (1956) explores a noir-worthy love triangle between a college student, a pretty girl, and a gangster, set alongside the overbearing American occupation presence. And The Inheritance (1962) finds the loyal secretary of a dying business executive shrewdly manipulating the drama surrounding the disbursement of his fortune. While none of these qualify as groundbreaking classics, they remain intriguing because of their harsh view of post–World War II Japanese society as a cynical environment that placed greater value on cunning and cruelty than morality and justice. Fans of classic Japanese cinema will appreciate the opportunity to see these rarities. Highly recommended. (P. Hall)
Masaki Kobayashi: Against the System
Criterion, 4 discs, 440 min., in Japanese w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $59.95 Volume 28, Issue 4
Masaki Kobayashi: Against the System
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