Opening with a bravura wedding sequence and ending with a sycophantic bow to a replaced telephone receiver, the film has its longueurs, but Mifune's buttoned-down avenger is a compelling portrait of righteous obsession foundering on unpredictable reality.
The Bad Sleep Well
1960 · 2h 30m · APPROVED
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Directed by
Akira Kurosawa
Overview
In this loose adaptation of "Hamlet," illegitimate son Kôichi Nishi climbs to a high position within a Japanese corporation and marries the crippled daughter of company vice president Iwabuchi. At the reception, the wedding cake is a replica of their corporate headquarters, but an aspect of the design reminds the party of the hushed-up death of Nishi's father. It is then that Nishi unleashes his plan to avenge his father's death.
Director and cast
- Akira Kurosawa Director
- Toshirō Mifune as Kôichi Nishi
- Masayuki Mori as Public Corporation Vice President Iwabuchi
- Kyōko Kagawa as Yoshiko Nishi
- Tatsuya Mihashi as Tatsuo Iwabuchi
- Takashi Shimura as Administrative Officer Moriyama
- Kō Nishimura as Contract Officer Shirai
- Takeshi Katō as Itakura
- Kamatari Fujiwara as Assistant-to-the-Chief Wada
- Chishū Ryū as Public Prosecutor Nonaka
- Seiji Miyaguchi as Prosecutor Okakura
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
Kurosawa rather loaded the film on the side of social significance, while neglecting to capitalise on the noir aspects that underlie it. Even so, his use of the 'scope screen is masterly.
This is a powerful and interesting picture that Kurosawa has made -- a bit tedious and mawkish in the last reels, but exciting enough along the way to satisfy audiences that know the subject.
A well-done thriller with Kurosawa's usual social overtones.
More films
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Action · Adventure · PG-13
In 1938, an art collector appeals to eminent archaeologist Dr. Indiana Jones to embark on a search for the Holy Grail. Indy learns that a medieval historian has vanished while searching for it, and the missing man is his own father, Dr. Henry Jones Sr.. He sets out to rescue his father by following clues in the old man's notebook, whic...
- Runtime
- 2h 7m
- Director
- Steven Spielberg
- Cast
- Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Denholm Elliott
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Adventure · Comedy · Family · Fantasy · PG
A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world's most unusual candy maker.
- Runtime
- 1h 55m
- Director
- Tim Burton
- Cast
- Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, AnnaSophia Robb
The Big Blue (1988)
Adventure · Drama · Romance · PG
Two men answer the call of the ocean in this romantic fantasy-adventure. Jacques and Enzo are a pair of friends who have been close since childhood, and who share a passion for the dangerous sport of free diving. Professional diver Jacques opted to follow in the footsteps of his father, who died at sea when Jacques was a boy; to the b...
- Runtime
- 2h 48m
- Director
- Luc Besson
- Cast
- Jean-Marc Barr, Jean Reno, Rosanna Arquette
Big Fish (2003)
Adventure · Drama · Fantasy · PG-13
Throughout his life Edward Bloom has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years, he remains a huge mystery to his son, William. Now, to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures.
- Runtime
- 2h 5m
- Director
- Tim Burton
- Cast
- Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup
Rocky V (1990)
Drama · PG-13
A lifetime of taking shots has ended Rocky’s career, and a crooked accountant has left him broke. Inspired by the memory of his trainer, however, Rocky finds glory in training and takes on an up-and-coming boxer.
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
- Director
- John G. Avildsen
- Cast
- Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young
The Lorax (2012)
Animation · Family · PG
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world.
- Runtime
- 1h 26m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Chris Renaud
- Cast
- Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms
Home Makeover (2010)
Animation · Comedy · Family · N/A
When a social worker visits Gru’s house to assess its suitability for children, chaos ensues. Margo, Edith, and Agnes, along with the ever-mischievous Minions, scramble to give the home a makeover in record time. Their attempts to create a warm and inviting environment quickly spiral into hilarity as the Minions’ unorthodox methods lea...
- Runtime
- 5m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Samuel Tourneux
- Cast
- Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Kate Fisher
Orientation Day (2010)
Animation · Comedy · Family · N/A
The Minions embark on their first day of work, eager to prove themselves in their new roles. After watching a hilariously outdated 'Initiation Video,' three rookie Minions take on bomb-carrying duty. Predictably, their enthusiasm quickly spirals into chaos as they bungle the simplest of tasks. Packed with slapstick comedy and the Minio...
- Runtime
- 4m
- Director
- Kyle Balda, Samuel Tourneux
- Cast
- Pierre Coffin, Rob Huebel











Comments
Talk about the film with other members