THE LOWER DEPTHS is yet another of Kurosawa's insightful explorations of The Human Condition- in this case, the day-to-day struggle against Abject Poverty. "A thief is a poor man's best friend," one of the Denizens of The Depths points out; an unfortunate Truth, as the lack of Money often leaves the Poor with few real options. I see it on a daily basis in the neighborhood where I live. Kurosawa is one of the few Truly GREAT directors to tackle such stories. (I've always thought of DODESKADEN ("CLICKETY-CLACK") as yet another of Kurosawa's more insightful Dramas, one that dealt with- among other things- Mental Retardation. I could go on, but you get my gist.) THE LOWER DEPTHS manages to capture the Utter Boredom and lack of Purpose that motivates many poor people; it is to be applauded.
Review of The Lower Depths
