A perfect final masterpiece which was amazing because it does not seem to be aiming for some sort of fame or breakthrough achievement, but is focused purely on presenting true Japanese culture, especially on the level of respect towards the elders. I also liked the fact that this movie is very different from most of its peers as it does not project a melancholic, sentimentalized or negative perspective on the 'later stages of life' but instead every single character embraces life and death with profound down-to-earth humour. The Sensei continues to 'mentor' his ex-students with his unconventional wisdom and creative peculiar moments, and his own students not only accepted him for being eccentric but find him a powerful inspiration that does not fade with time. What makes this movie timeless: The level of companionship, collective happiness and mutual feelings exhibited from 'Mada-dai' party will be one of the most memorable happy scenes from a movie that I will forever cherish. - A superb presentation of traditional Japanese culture: loyalty towards the elders, serene lifestyle, consideration towards other people, communial events etc that is, to date, stronger than any other movies I have come across (it even surpassed Omehido Poro Poro in this respect) - the role of Kyoko. Her silent, restraint but energetic and passionate acting performance provides solid support to the rest of the cast, despite a mere few conversational lines. The only thing lacking is the maternal aspect of her role as they did not bore children. - The lonely aspects of ageing: A large portion of the film was focused on the highs-and-lows involving their home cat, which also reveal sensei's vulnerability towards emotional wrecking. This is very realistic as they did not have children. - the students and the neighbour. I have never seen such commitment in they intended to carry out to help fulfil other's wishes. The neighbour's thoughtful decisions reflected the same attitude displayed by those in the aftermath of the Quake/Tsunami crisis today. - the sensei's unique outlook on life and his fire for living; I have watched way too many similar movies where the ageing, dying characters were overcome by the fact of death that they literally stopped living. - the songs or chantings were too good to forget

I am a big fan of Mr.Kurosawa because his movie is really a brain teaser. I had only watched this movie one time and had to admit that I have not totally understand this movie yet. Since it took me more than ten years to enjoy his previous movie, Rhapsody in August(if interested, please read my review on this one); I am prepare to watch this movie again and again because I think that is what Mr. Kurosawa want. From the surface, I could tell that part of the movie was for him to thank his audiences for their support this year. They supported him even they don't understand him(student who could sleep with his eye open,)with his not so funny jokes, and his not so good movies due to lack of budget(horse and deer meat stow.). There are many scenes in the story that Kurosawa expresses his views and lessons of life (like the one he told to the kids who served the birthday cakes.). I am prepare to take my time to explore this movie in detail. As he metaphored at the end, perhaps life is a game of hide and seek which a boy always looking for a better spot to hide, neverless, he will be and want to be find. The question that I have was what is it one is trying to hide from in Mr. Kurosawa's point of view? Is it God or one's true self?

In a pre-WWII Tokyo, the professor of German Hyakken Uchida (Tatsuo Matsumura) decides to retire after thirty years of professorship, and dedicate to the career of writer. His students, some of them from different generations, love him and keep a close touch with the professor and his wife (Kyôko Kagawa) along his life. In 1943, the house of the professor is bombed, he loses all his possessions and moves to a simple gardener cottage. After the war, his former students build a new small house with a lake around, and every year along seventeen years, in the professor's birthday, they have a reunion with a funny ceremony, based on children's hide and seek and referring if the professor is ready to die. They ask the professor: "-Mahda-kai?" ("Are you ready?"), and the professor responds "-Madadayo!" ("Not yet?") and drinks a large glass of beer."Madadayo" is the last direction of Master Akira Kurosawa, and is a sensitive low-paced worship of knowledge, friendship and life. I found this movie very beautiful, and I would like to highlight some points. First of all, the character of the professor Hyakken Uchida, capable of be adored by his students of different generations, very connected to a cat, living with his beloved wife but without kids. There is no explanation, but it seems quite contradictory a man of such profile not having son or daughter. Another interesting point is the changing of behavior of Japanese society with women (and family) along time. In the sixty-first anniversary of the professor (First Madadayo), there are only men in the meeting room, in spite of war finished a few years ago. Seventeen years later, the room is crowded of men, women and children. The conclusion of the story, showing that life goes on, is awesome! Last but not the least, the music score is magnificent. My vote is nine.Title (Brazil): "Madadayo"

I've watched this movie more often then any other Kurosawa movie. I think most of his movies I've watched only once were movies whose impact on me will last a lifetime, thats why I don't need to watch 'Stray Dog' or 'Red Beard' too often, though they are my favorite. But this one is a movie I can watch on the evening, an easy-watchable and yet very touching and intensive movie, with moments to laugh and touching moments too. I realy like this movie for its sympathic characters - though it plays partly in fascism war-torn Japan. Maybe its the point of why I like these character especially - it shows that despite their fascistic affiliation the characters didn't have to be evil - or at least not all.It has also a few good jokes which you can only understand when you understand japanese - the main character is a distinguished author and german-teacher. He delivers a brilliant character-study.Recommendable for everybody interested in japanese culture, especially postwar - and all Kurosawa-fans of course.