Scandal

Scandal was made the same year as his breakthrough masterpiece, Rashomon in1950, but is considered a lesser work (Eclipse Series 7: Postwar Kurosawa).  However, it is revealing about Kurosawa’s view of morality, society, and overall worldview.  He sees that he new found individualism and freedom if unchecked can cause some problems and it seems as if he has had his share of problems with the press.  It is a depiction of American values that have been absorbed through the occupation, Mifune rides an American motorcycle and we often hear American music.  The story is about a libel reported by a gossip magazine about a liaison between Mifune, who portrays a famous artist and a singer. He hires a down and out lawyer, expertly played by Kurosawa regular Takashi Shimura, with an ailing daughter.  It is minor Kurosawa but interesting in what it reveals about the filmmaker in context of his oeuvre.