I must admit, I haven't seen the original Akira Kurosawa film, so I have nothing to compare this with. But I shouldn't have to, it should stand on its own. Sadly it doesn't.
I found this movie just couldn't follow a single style or even narrative. It jumped all over the place, and just when you thought it was over, it kept going. I guess a good analogy would be if 4 or 5 different directors had been given the task of filming a certain section of this film, then they stitched it together to make one movie, that's what this viewing was like.
I didn't understand how some characters could disappear from their work or their family for days, weeks, months at a time, and nobody called the police, and they still had a job.
I also couldn't understand the negative interactions between Bill Nighy's character and his son and daughter-in-law. What was the reason for them being so mean to him? There was no background on this.
The acting was decent, but nothing remarkable or earth shattering. Bill Nighy was his usual self, but not really carrying the movie. The young lady's performance was okay, but I was constantly distracted by her front teeth. I get it, that's her trademark look, but it still didn't help me feel invested in her character.
Everyone else in the movie was just there to build up or support Bill Nighy's character. They were okay, but nothing remarkable. I didn't recognize Adrian Rawlins, though! I will always remember as the solicitor who took on the Woman In Black in 1989.
Overall, just a so so movie. I wouldn't call it life-changing by any means. The look was the only thing going for it. Maybe I will check out the Kurosawa film and see how it compares to this one.
