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The Sea Is Watching
2002
Based on a screenplay by the late filmmaking legend Akira Kurosawa, Kei Kumai's THE SEA IS WATCHING follows the lives of women residing and working at a brothel in Edo-era Japan. Amidst the daily rountines of tea and gossip, the ladies of the Ashi No Ya house, inevitably get emotionally involved with their clients. Young, naive .. Read more
| Starring | Nagiko Tono, Masatoshi Nagase |
|---|---|
| Director | Ken Kumai |
| Genres | Drama, Romance, World Cinema |
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Critics' reviews
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Under-rated director Kei Kumai assumed control of this tale set in a 19th-century brothel on the death of Akira Kurosawa. An air of what might have been under Kurosawa's direction hangs heavy over the story of geisha Nagiko Tohno's encounters with disreputable samurai Hidetaka Yoshioka and Masatoshi Nagase. Kumai's adaptation of a brace of Shugoro Yamamoto short stories never quite gels; while he ably re-creates the atmosphere within Tokyo's infamous Okabasho district and conceives some affecting monochrome flashbacks to Nagase's childhood, he's saddled with parallel plots that are only resolved by a dismayingly gauche contrivance. However, Misa Shimizu impresses as Tohno's sagacious colleague.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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7 out of 9 people found this review helpful
The sea is watching
If you expect it to be a Kurasawa film you may get disappointed, but than again, it is not a Kurasawa film. The factor of realism is great, impressive visually (isn’t it what a cinema is all about). I loved it – it is a very "kind" movie.
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5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Do watch The Sea is Watching...
It is always interesting to note that all of the films one finds either mesmerising or totally dull solicit a range of ratings, from 1 through 7...!
In the case of The Sea is Watching, despite the fact that this Arkira Kurosawa vehicle was completed by a 'stand-in' director (chosen by the master's son) after the great director's death, the film remains a thoroughly beautiful tribute and a fascinating piece of work.
Kurosawa's 'lingering' camera techniques and love of colour are maintained throughout, as are his silently keen observations of human nature via facial expression and body language...the only way this somewhat epic, yet contemplative film could have been improved upon would have been if Kurosawa himself could have overseen the project and in some ways, it would appear that he has...
Dreams heralded a change of direction for the master director, from deeply passionate storytelling to enchanting, occasionally tongue in cheek references to the 'beast' in all of us through the use of many mini sagas within the main drama...this film is no exception to that
tendency, quickly engaging us with all the geishas and their clients, despite minimal dialogue and as such, is as fitting a 'swan song' for the legendary director as could be committed to film without his imaginative presence on the film set... -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Beautiful film: but not for all
A love story in a lovely setting, this won't appeal to everyone, but is a great intro to Japanese cinema.
The plot is not thick, but its a great insight into the life of a geisha and the customs they had. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Touching and enjoyable
This melodramatic film gives a fascinating insight into life in another era and culture, and is both compelling and gentle to watch. It is basically a love story, which also highlights social issues (class, morals, feminism), and ultimately, the domination of nature over mankind.
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4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Beautiful film: but not for all
A love story in a lovely setting, this won't appeal to everyone, but is a great intro to Japanese cinema.
The plot is not thick, but its a great insight into the life of a geisha and the customs they had.
-
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful
The sea is watching
If you expect it to be a Kurasawa film you may get disappointed, but than again, it is not a Kurasawa film. The factor of realism is great, impressive visually (isn’t it what a cinema is all about). I loved it – it is a very "kind" movie.
-
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Do watch The Sea is Watching...
It is always interesting to note that all of the films one finds either mesmerising or totally dull solicit a range of ratings, from 1 through 7...!
In the case of The Sea is Watching, despite the fact that this Arkira Kurosawa vehicle was completed by a 'stand-in' director (chosen by the master's son) after the great director's death, the film remains a thoroughly beautiful tribute and a fascinating piece of work.
Kurosawa's 'lingering' camera techniques and love of colour are maintained throughout, as are his silently keen observations of human nature via facial expression and body language...the only way this somewhat epic, yet contemplative film could have been improved upon would have been if Kurosawa himself could have overseen the project and in some ways, it would appear that he has...
Dreams heralded a change of direction for the master director, from deeply passionate storytelling to enchanting, occasionally tongue in cheek references to the 'beast' in all of us through the use of many mini sagas within the main drama...this film is no exception to that
tendency, quickly engaging us with all the geishas and their clients, despite minimal dialogue and as such, is as fitting a 'swan song' for the legendary director as could be committed to film without his imaginative presence on the film set... -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
Beautiful film: but not for all
A love story in a lovely setting, this won't appeal to everyone, but is a great intro to Japanese cinema.
The plot is not thick, but its a great insight into the life of a geisha and the customs they had. -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Touching and enjoyable
This melodramatic film gives a fascinating insight into life in another era and culture, and is both compelling and gentle to watch. It is basically a love story, which also highlights social issues (class, morals, feminism), and ultimately, the domination of nature over mankind.
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
sumptous photography, average melodrama
The life and loves of a prostitute in a Geisha house who seem to have difficulty in finding or accepting love but no problem attracting losers.The photography is superb and some of the scenes seem to be homages to the Ukiyo-e paintings of Hokusai and Hiroshige. The final storm is impressively filmed but they don't seem to have made enough of an effort to get away. The story is by Akira Kurosawa and the accompanying documentary tries to play up the feminist angle, with which I disagree, the wives in Ran and Throne of Blood would be stronger feminists then these women who are mainly victims of bad luck.
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Great Geisha!
I loved every minute of this film. It was great - very well acted and kept me gripped right until the very end when I cried. It is an absolute gem of a film and I will definitely look out for more.
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Magestic
The interweaving of the story line is slightly unconnected but the underlying theme, the cinematography and the poetic ending make it and absolute pleasure to watch
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Interesting
If you watched and liked The Twilight Samurai, you will probably find this interesting. It is a nice film
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I watched it
Nice film - beautifully shot. If you're in the mood for a gentle movie it'll be right up your street.
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A great introduction to Japanese Cinema
I’ve not watched any other Kurosawa films so this is a great introduction. Yes this is a subtitled film, but by no means does it make it difficult to watch – I would choose subtitles over dubbed any day of the week.
This is a story the geisha way of life and how one particular geisha, O-Shin, has a way of falling for her customers. Although the story has a slow pace you are intrigued from the start. The culture, the fantastic scenery and great characters keeps you interested. You get to know the characters well and find yourself wanting it all to turn out well in the end.
It is a fantastic insight into another culture and thoroughly worth watching.
Critics' reviews
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Under-rated director Kei Kumai assumed control of this tale set in a 19th-century brothel on the death of Akira Kurosawa. An air of what might have been under Kurosawa's direction hangs heavy over the story of geisha Nagiko Tohno's encounters with disreputable samurai Hidetaka Yoshioka and Masatoshi Nagase. Kumai's adaptation of a brace of Shugoro Yamamoto short stories never quite gels; while he ably re-creates the atmosphere within Tokyo's infamous Okabasho district and conceives some affecting monochrome flashbacks to Nagase's childhood, he's saddled with parallel plots that are only resolved by a dismayingly gauche contrivance. However, Misa Shimizu impresses as Tohno's sagacious colleague.
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Based on a screenplay by the late filmmaking legend Akira Kurosawa, Kei Kumai's THE SEA IS WATCHING follows the lives of women residing and working at a brothel in Edo-era Japan. Amidst the daily ... -
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