Review: Rashomon

Many people have watched a television show in which something unknown happens and each character involved is questioned with each giving a different story usually to comedic effect. Rashomon (1950) is the film which pioneered this story telling device, though done instead to tell the tale of a serious crime from four different points of view.

The story takes place in a court. Four testimonies are to be heard from four members of the party involved. This includes the bandit who is on trial, a samurai, his wife, and a passerby woodcutter. Each story is contradictory to the others. As each person speaks, the viewer tries to find similarities between the stories to try and uncover the truth, similarly playing part of the court.

To compliment the interesting story, there is a great use of lighting and camera work to keep the visuals interesting as each person's version of the story is told. Audiences watching can wonder what parts, if any, of the stories are true. The motivation and reasoning behind why the stories being told are so different has the viewer question and maybe even sympathize with how or why the truth seems less appealing at times.

This is a fantastic movie that can be enjoyed by any adult. The plot is interesting and the ambiguity keeps a viewer invested for a very believable story.

Final Verdict: Red Light. Take time to stop and watch Rashomon sometime.