A widowed civil servant sentenced to cancer seeks to find meaning in his life.
You had to have some nerve to propose a remake of the masterpiece Ikiruby Akira Kurosawa, which was partly inspired by the novel The death of Ivan Ilyich, by Leo Tolstoy. against all odds, Living holds up and proves to be poignant at times.
The timeless story explores the human condition at its darkest and brightest. What is a successful life? Can illness transform a person? And what legacy do we leave of our time on earth?
These questions – and many others – are encapsulated in the rich screenplay adapted from the prestigious novelist Kazuo Ishiguro (The Remains of the Day), which has just been nominated for the Oscars. A psychological study takes shape around a man in the twilight of his existence, unable to communicate with his son, and who lives again by helping others. It is tied around a social drama in the figure of the civil servant who wastes so much time on the ordinary citizen. At times, it’s like being in the house that drives people crazy 12 labors of Asterix.
It took a huge actor to convey so many emotions using only the finesse of his looks. Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean) did it with flying colors, becoming one with this frail and heartfelt time-worn character, being nominated for an Oscar for what easily represents his best role of his career. The sober British comedian is so convincing that all the scenes where he does not appear on the screen are more supported and explanatory, eyeing the good feelings.
Although a deep sense of loneliness and melancholy pervades the work, South African filmmaker Oliver Hermanus (Moffie) uses contrasts to recall the beauty of the world, accentuating its hope. His refined staging pays as much homage to old English classics as to Kurosawa, whose editing effects he borrows, taking care of each of his shots while calling on the elegant music of Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch.
Something to make it a little less icy Livingwhose restraint is elevated to the rank of virtue, and which reminds us that a respectful remake of a classic is always possible.
Living is presented in the original English version and in the original version with French subtitles.
Indoors
Psychological drama
Living
Oliver Hermanus
Starring Bill Nighy, Aimee Lou Wood, Alex Sharp
1:42