High and Low Review: Kurosawa's Kidnapping Thriller
9/10 — High and Low (1963)
Pros
- Mifune's compelling performance
- Great widescreen composition
- Tense procedural second half
Cons
- Long running time
- Shift in tone
A wealthy shoe executive, played by Toshiro Mifune, is told his son has been kidnapped, but the kidnapper has mistakenly taken the chauffeur’s son, raising a question of whether he’ll still pay the ransom. The film then turns into a manhunt.
What works
The first half unfolds almost entirely in one living room and is gripping, and the second half’s police procedure, including the famous train sequence, is superbly staged. Mifune is powerful as a man facing a moral choice, and Kurosawa’s widescreen compositions are fantastic.
Where it falters
It’s long, and the shift in tone and focus between the two halves may disappoint some viewers.
Verdict
A beautifully crafted thriller that’s also a social critique.
