Kiichi Nakajima, an elderly foundry owner convinced that Japan will be affected by an imminent nuclear war, resolves to move his family to safety in Brazil. His family decides to have him ruled incompetent and Dr. Harada, a Domestic Court counselor, attempts to arbitrate.
I feel sure that Mr. Kurosawa could have come up with a more constructive thought on how people should use their energies to pacifistic purpose than the negative one he gives us here.
– Bosley Crowther,
New York Times,
9 May 2005
fresh:
A compelling look at postwar Japan as well as the onset of Cold War paranoia.
– Gary Dowell,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Apr 2003
rotten:
Perhaps a bit too loose and leisurely to be entirely effective.