“Even bad food tastes good if you chew it well.” —Dr. Kyojo Niide
Today’s quick review: Red Beard. Against his wishes, Naboru Yasumoto (Yuzo Kayama), a young and proud doctor, is assigned to Koshikawa Clinic, a clinic for the poor and needy. There he clashes with Kyojo Niide (Toshiro Mifune), the stern doctor in charge, and tries to get switched to a more prestigious assignment. But as Yasumoto treats his patients and learns of their plights, he comes to see the value in Niide’s work.
Red Beard is a classic Japanese drama directed by Akira Kurosawa. The film follows the lives of two doctors working in a public clinic, one a hotshot with an inflated ego, the other a devoted caretaker who will do anything to help his patients. Red Beard is an examination of the human condition, showing life and struggle in the poorest parts of society. Top-notch acting and potent subject matter make Red Beard an excellent film.
Red Beard draws its conflict from two sources: the gradual development of Naboru Yasumoto, and the heartwrenching struggles of his patients. Yasumoto is a capable and compassionate man, but his pride gets in the way of his work as a doctor. Witnessing the suffering that goes on at the clinic puts Yasumoto on a more selfless path, and he comes to admire Niide for the fierce way he fights for every patient.
Yasumoto’s story serves as the backdrop for a series of shorter tales about individual patients. These tales are not about illnesses per se, but rather the poverty, sorrow, and cruelty that jeopardize the lives of the patients. Each tale is moving in its own way. Although they are clearly written with drama in mind, the tales never feel forced or unnatural. Instead, they are illustrations of how lives can go wrong and how they can be mended.
The heart of Red Beard is its acting. Yuzo Kayama and Toshiro Mifune head a highly capable cast. The script is strong enough on its own, but nearly all of the pivotal moments of the film come down to the actors’ performances. The shock of an unexpected loss, the impact of an act of kindness, and the crumbling stoicism of a doctor moved to tears: Moments like this are what define the film, and the actors are always up to the challenge.
Try Red Beard when you are in the mood for a powerful look at the human condition. Red Beard has a relatively mundane premise, but the depth of its characters, its insightful writing, and the skill of its craftsmanship make it one of Kurosawa’s best works. Anyone with a taste for drama should give it a watch. Steer clear if you are looking for a more direct story with an easier payoff.
For an Italian drama that is similarly moving, try Cinema Paradiso or Macaroni. For an even more tragic Japanese animated drama about true poverty, try Grave of the Fireflies.
[8.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058888/). I give it an 8.0 to 8.5 for humane characters, insightful writing, and powerful emotional moments.