Living

Insightful and thought provoking. Consider what life is a really about. Often people stay living when life is nearing the end.

The only reason I’d heard of Living was the Oscar nominated performance from the ever reliable Bill Nighy, and since he’s the element of the film that most plaudits are directed towards, it’s not very surprising. An English language remake of a Kurosawa classic that I haven’t yet seen, it’s not just a story of failing health and wasted life, its an indictment on the inefficiency and neglectful cruelty of bureaucracy, a system where paperwork is passed interminably from one department to the next with no progress ever being made and nothing being accomplished. Nighy exists in a world where, despite being a man of some authority, he’s essentially a cog in a machine that’s important but replaceable, and realising that he’s dedicated his life to a profession that brings little joy sparks his odyssey of self discovery. I liked how the film didn’t just try to teach life lessons or delivery syrupy platitudes, the kind that might flood a vapid teenagers Instagram feed. It takes the time to examine our lead and how unfulfilled he is. Nighy’s performance is compelling but frequently one note, where the most he has to do is lower his voice and stare forlornly at whatever he’s in front of. A segment of the film is told out of order, and while it’s good for setting up the 3rd act, it blunts the emotional impact of what would have been one of the film’s most powerful scenes. The film isn’t going to be remembered as a classic, and likely wont measure up to its Japanese counterpart, but as a study of an ailing, unhappy man trying his best to make the last of his time on Earth matter, you could do far worse.

Phenomenal movie. A great movie in this day and age.

Simple, pero muy poderosa en todos los aspectos narrativos, técnicos (sorprendetemente) y actorales.

Really charming and touching movie for which Bill Nighy deservedly was nominated for an Oscar. Though at 1st apparently slow, though it never speeds up, it gets more and more engrossing. Despite its being clear the protagonist will die, one doesn't get so sad about it as he makes a choice to go in his own way. Great supporting cast that makes the British seem so British.

I had no idea that we desperately needed a remake of "Ikiru" but here we are. The movie is beautifully constructed by Hermanus and Ishiguro as it both homages and finds new interpretations of Kurosawa's original masterpiece. Also Nighy gives a performance for the ages here.

Heavy words but, to me, this may be the most perfectly crafted and beautifully performed movie of all time. Undeniably a piece of cinematic perfection. Artistic genius, incredible acting. For Bill Nighy, the greatest of all his roles. His marriage of grief and tenderness is phenomenal. He turns the heartbreaking nature of death into great beauty.

Nice little moviee with a predioctable story line - much too slow and a bit dreary. they could have done uch more with it.

Excuse me. Oh, This is such a bore. But I am dying. The doctors have giving me 6 to 9 months to live. I'm so sorry for boring you with this news.

Very nice story with a slow pace, which revealing characters and their motivations. It shows that a nice gesture, something useful can be done with strong will and abandoning routine.