Opening with a shot of an x-ray, showing the main characters stomach, Ikiru tells the tale of a dedicated, downtrodden civil servant who, diagnosed with terminal cancer, learns to change his dull, unfulfilled existence, and suddenly discovers a zest for life. Plunging first into self-pity, then a bout of hedonistic pleasure-seeking on the frenetic streets of post-war Tokyo, Watanabe – the films hero – finds himself driven to give some meaning to his life, finally finding satisfaction through building a childrens playground. Beautifully played by Takashi Shimura (who starred in 21 of Kurosawas films), Ikiru is an intensely lyrical and moving film, and was one of Kurosawas own favourites.
