Ikiru (Living) (1952)

A thought-provoking movie, isn't it? From emotional perspective a spectator will sympathize with Watanabe-san. Indeed, his son doesn't show respect to him, his job is boring and meaningless, and finally, his terminal disease... What on earth could be worse?

After he finds out that he has cancer, we see him passionately involved in arranging a construction of a park. This is a part of his regular bureaucratic job actually, but he's never been so eager about helping organize such an affair. Looks like he's finally found the meaning of his life, eh?

"In fact, this man has been dead
for more than 20 years now.

Before that, he did live a little."

Then he really dies. Fortunately, having been able to complete the construction of the park. And here come the final scenes of the movie which I really adore!

* SPOILERS AHEAD! Please Read more only if you've seen this movie already. *

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044741/
My vote: 9 of 10

What we observe there is the commemoration for Watanabe-san. Who's present? His co-workers mostly. First of all, the bureaucrats! They're all the same in all countries. They never say anything contradictory to their boss' opinion. If the deputy mayor says:

"No, if you've got to credit something,
it was coincidence that made that park."

then this is supposed to be the truth. And everyone agrees with that.

Once the bosses leave, the real truth comes up. Piece by piece Watanabe's colleagues restore the complete picture of what's really been happening over the past six months. Yes, they finally realize he knew he was doomed. They understand that it was his desire to build this park. And that it was his passion that actually made it. Hooray, holy justice!

But... was it really that? Imagine Watanabe-san hadn't had cancer, would the park still be built? Suppose his wife didn't die long time ago, or otherwise he'd had a loving family that could take good care about him, would he still have such a passion toward organizing the construction? If partying, drinking, or women had brought him any pleasure, would he even care of his job duties at all?

This all is really questionable. No doubt he's a special man. He's special in that regard that he's chosen the "right" thing to do in his situation. But it seems that this is the situation and all the circumstances together that actually played the major role in his decision, not his "specialty" primarily.

So maybe that indeed was just a coincidence? After all, isn't our life a coincidence?