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Rhapsody in August

Play trailer Poster for Rhapsody in August PG 1991 1h 38m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 73% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Almost 50 years after the American nuclear attack on Nagasaki during World War II, the horrific incident still shapes the life of Kane (Sachiko Murase), an elderly woman who lost her husband and several siblings in the bombing. One summer, Kane learns that her older brother is close to death in Hawaii. Kane's nephew, Clark (Richard Gere), travels to Nagasaki to help bring her there, but Kane, who still harbors hostility toward America, is unsure about the trip.

Critics Reviews

View All (15) Critics Reviews
Michael Sragow New Yorker These days, people are more interested in Kurosawa than he is in being Kurosawa. Mar 4, 2013 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out There's more narrative movement here than in Dreams, but the pedagogic humanism still gets bogged down in facile simplification. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader A beautiful reminder from octogenarian Akira Kurosawa that he's still the master. May 15, 2004 Full Review Malcolm Johnson Hartford Courant There is little drama in all of this, but Kurosawa still knows how to set out a strong ending. Apr 16, 2018 Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Absorbing pacifist drama, looks at the links between East and West. Dec 3, 2016 Full Review TV Guide Sad to say, it is far from a major statement from one of our greatest living directors. Rated: 2.5/4 Mar 4, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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dave s Rhapsody in August has all of the markings of a great film, but turns out to be a bit of a disappointment. Directed by the great Akira Kurosawa, it is the story of four children and their attempt to convince their grandmother, whose husband was killed by the atomic bomb in Nagasaki, to travel to Hawaii to visit her ailing brother. Over the course of the film, the children begin to realize the long-lasting impact the horrific event had on the fragile matriarch, who is reluctant to forgive America for its actions. It all sounds promising, but it falls flat due to far too much in the way of exposition from the characters, a ton of awkward dialogue, and wooden performances from all involved. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Aside from the overwhelming amount of sentimental jabs and locations, this film doesn't look or feel anything like an Akira Kurosawa film. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member A fine little film by Kurosawa. Plain but evocative. I like late-stage Kurosawa. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Made when he was 81 and made quickly this is minor Kurosawa for sure, but it does have some great scenes. The march of the ants next to the praying people, the embrace of the dead trees, and the very eerie, creepy and supernatural eye in the sky recollection. This is part 2 of the trilogy that ended Akira's film career after he completed his magnum opus "Ran"- the film he dreamed about making for many years. What makes this film part of the trilogy is the realization that the old woman (my guess is she's in her late eighties) represents Akira himself, and that makes the film fun. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review Audience Member It's slow & quiet. Has a lot of moving moments. I enjoyed it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Late period Kurosawa and not one of his great films, but very much worth a view. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Rhapsody in August

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Movie Info

Synopsis Almost 50 years after the American nuclear attack on Nagasaki during World War II, the horrific incident still shapes the life of Kane (Sachiko Murase), an elderly woman who lost her husband and several siblings in the bombing. One summer, Kane learns that her older brother is close to death in Hawaii. Kane's nephew, Clark (Richard Gere), travels to Nagasaki to help bring her there, but Kane, who still harbors hostility toward America, is unsure about the trip.
Director
Akira Kurosawa
Production Co
Kurosawa Production
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (DVD)
Jul 1, 2003
Runtime
1h 38m