A Young Lady's Resentment
A Young Lady's Resentment

Movie spotlight

A Young Lady's Resentment

1974
Movie
93 min
Korean

As the king succeeds to the throne, His Excellency Kim Han-Jik commits suicide after he entrusted his children to his faithful servant Lee Kang-Hak since he is afraid of being invited to a disaster. Newly charged lord of the town harbors an evil heart to Suk-Yong, Kim's daughter, rather he is on the edge of being killed by her. He is saved by Kang-Hak who kills her and Kim's sons. After that Kang-Hak is on a streak of success and finally becomes the lord of that town. One day Suk-Young's ghost appears to torture Kang-Hak while villagers are killed every day until Kang-Hak is the only survivor. On the day even Kang-Hak is supposed to be killed, His Excellency Kim's ghost takes other ghosts. After a while Kang-Hak wakes up and sets up a tombstone to console them.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes85%
Metacritic78/100
Google Users89%
Director: Akira KurosawaGenres: Drama, War

Plot Summary

In the tumultuous final days of World War II, a disillusioned journalist grapples with his conscience as he witnesses the escalating propaganda and censorship. He becomes entangled with a young woman who harbors a secret resentment towards the war and the society that espouses it. Their intertwined fates unfold against a backdrop of societal decay and personal moral conflict, forcing them to confront the true cost of war and conformity.

Critical Reception

While 'A Young Lady's Resentment' was not as widely celebrated as some of Kurosawa's earlier works, it received a respectable number of positive reviews for its thematic depth and Kurosawa's characteristic visual style. Critics lauded its nuanced portrayal of individual struggles against overwhelming societal pressures and the strong performances from its lead actors. However, some found its pacing to be somewhat slow and its message overtly critical, which might have limited its broader appeal at the time.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its poignant exploration of moral ambiguity during wartime.

  • Hailed for Kurosawa's masterful direction and striking cinematography.

  • Noted for its powerful performances, particularly from the lead actors.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's serious tone and its examination of individual conscience amidst societal turmoil. Many viewers connected with the characters' internal struggles and found the film thought-provoking. Some viewers noted that while it wasn't an action-packed war film, its dramatic and emotional impact was significant.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film was shot in stark black and white, a deliberate choice by Kurosawa to emphasize the somber mood and the moral greyness of the period it depicts.

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