The Bad Sleep Well
In this engaging drama, acclaimed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa deftly splices together the nuances of hypocrisy, old feudal misconceptions lingering in modern corruption, and Shakespeare's Hamlet. The rotten corporate world is taken on by Koichi Nishi (Toshiro Mifune), who is looking for revenge in the death of his father. Koichi is a private secretary to a government official, and in the opening scene, at Koichi's wedding to the official's disabled daughter, a special cake is brought in which jolts those present -- it reminds them of the suicide that paved the way for their current positions of power. Then the police arrive and arrest one of the wedding guests. Unknown to the others, Koichi is the hidden force behind all the strange happenings that begin to sting their consciences and ruin their lives. Ghostly figures and would-be killers in the dark streets contrast with shining corporate offices as the plot maneuvers to its tragic conclusion.~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
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Critic's review of The Bad Sleep Well
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Moody thriller, in the style of American gangster movies of the 40s, but with an ending that Hollywood would have rejected as too downbeat.
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35004
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- Halliwell's Film Guide
- 02 Mar 2006 at 15:44
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Most helpful member's review of The Bad Sleep Well
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I thought this film would be similar to Stray Dog, but it wasn't. It was very predictable and not much new in it. Though it was worth watching to kill 2 ...
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142500
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[Highly rated reviewer]
- Rob Pickles
- Manchester
- 21 Aug 2005 at 18:41
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Most recent members' reviews of The Bad Sleep Well
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An underrated Kurosawa film! Different to his other works, but equally enjoyable.
Seems ever so relevant in our power hungry, capitalist society!
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954611
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This is not the usual Kurosawa action warrior movie although the plot contains many features that would normally be present in his more traditional, feudal ...
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[Highly rated reviewer]
- Charles Brickley
- Andover, Hampshire England
- 10 Mar 2009 at 17:57
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The first film from Kurosawa's own production house, this 1960 film reflected the director's desire to make a film with a strong, socio-political ...
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675669
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- a customer
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- 20 Dec 2008 at 18:52
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