The Rickshaw Man (Muhomatsu no issho)
Directed by Hiroshi Inagaki
Written by Hiroshi Inagaki and Mansako Itami; story by Shunsaku Iwashita
1958/Japan
Toho Company
First viewing/Hulu
[box] I still ride horses and do a lot of laughing. But I was born this way. I can’t help it. When I was young, I played old men’s roles. But now I’m a little boy!- Toshiro Mifune[/box]
This story of the the impact of a simple man on a fatherless boy features Toshiro Mifune at his warmest and most lovable.
The film spans the period from 1898 to around 1920. Matsugoro (Mifune) is a flamboyant rickshaw driver better known locally as “Wild Matsu”. He delights in brawling and stirring up trouble when he isn’t carrying passengers in his rickshaw. He is smart, big-hearted and honest despite his humble origins and lack of education.
One day Matsu sees an accident involving a young boy and carries him home. The boy’s father is grateful and invites him to share sake with the family. He immediately admires Matsu’s spirit. Shortly thereafter, the father dies and Matsu adopts the widowed mother (Hideko Takamine) and her son. The rest of the film follows Matsu as he serves as the rather timid boy’s surrogate father, teaching him his own courage and resourcefulness.
There are various moments of Mifune and children in other films – Seven Samurai comes immediately to mind – and he clearly had a way with them. Here we get a whole film of his playful, humorous side. We also get beautiful color views of traditional Japanese life. I enjoyed this a lot.
Montage of clips – no subtitles
