“The Life of Oharu” is a ravishing visual feast for the eyes. The beauty of Mizoguchi’s long takes and mise en scene makes “Oharu” glow. I fell deeply interested in the story from the get-go. My favorite scene was when Katsunosuke (Toshiro Mifune) fell in love with Oharu, and was beheaded. The feeling of lost love echoes the film. Oharu proves how hard it was for women to live in a male-dominated society. You can’t help but feel for her after she runs into bad luck a countless number of times. Then she has nothing to do but reflect and look back on her life and memories as an old lady.
Not Mizoguchi’s best, but nevertheless, a fantastic film!

4 stars