Saskia D. (Saxia)

Mweh.. this is typically a movie written and directed by a man (don't worry, I'm not a raging feminist), so annoying. It totally missed it's goal. It's about the woman, taking control of her sexuality, or that's the intention I think, but how she's coaxed into doing this is utterly ridiculous.
That really is all I have to say about this movie.

Marilyn Monroe plays Roslyn, a sexy and terribly naive divorcée. Seriously, somebody smack that woman!! But somehow that is what makes her character interesting, she totally get's on your nerves, but it's kind of sad how all those men act around her. They're all looking at her as if she's the one who should fix them.

The last part was amazing, very intense and real.

This movie was a treat!! It has everything: humor, drama, great characters and a beautiful story. It's situated in a peasant village, where everybody has to struggle to keep the mouths of their families fed. The people are submitted to strict rules to make sure that everything doesn't spin out of control. One of the rules is that when a person turns 70, they have to be carried off to the mountain of Narayama by the eldest son where they are left to die. The story revolves around Orin, the 69 year old mother and her family, a colorful collection of characters that find their way into your heart effortlessly.

What can I possibly say that will give this movie the credit it deserves? Wealth and happiness mean nothing if it can't be shared with the ones you love. And in the end you might end up sacrificing more than you wish to. It's one of the oldest lessons in the world I guess, and Ugetsu Monogatari tells it in a tragic and enchanting way. The soundtrack gives the movie an intensity that sucks you in. If you liked Kobayashi's Kwaidan, you're gonna love this one as well.