I just watched High and Low for the first time, drawn in by the buzz around the new remake (Highest 2 Lowest – my next watch/ soon), and while Kurosawa’s mastery is undeniable, the film is a fascinating mix of timeless brilliance and occasional datedness.
The story – about a wealthy executive forced to choose between his fortune and a child’s life – remains gripping, and Toshiro Mifune’s performance as Kingo Gondo is nothing short of iconic. His internal struggle, paired with Kurosawa’s razor-sharp direction, makes the first act a tense, dialogue-driven tour de force.
Yet, some elements haven’t aged as gracefully.
The film’s pacing, particularly in the second half, which is the police prcedural of its time, can feel slow by modern standards, and the procedural aspects of the police investigation now seem familiar, even clichéd-largely because so many films and TV shows have copied Kurosawa’s blueprint. The widescreen cinematography, while stunning, occasionally feels stagey, and the social commentary, though still potent, is sometimes heavy-handed by today’s nuanced standards. The portrayal of the drug-addicted kidnapper, while chilling, also leans into stereotypes that might feel reductive now.
Still, “High and Low” is a masterclass in moral storytelling and visual contrast. Its exploration of class and justice feels urgent, and the final act’s chase through Yokohama’s slums is as thrilling as anything in modern cinema. It’s a film that rewards patience and reflection, even if it occasionally shows its age.
A strong 7.5/10… essential viewing, but not without its quirks.
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