For most people "12 Angry Men" is no doubt a classic, yet it left me some doubt. What if Henry Fonda stood for 'guilty' instead of 'not guilty'? Could other juries agree with him at last?
In 1957, 'justice' still existed. To believe in young man's (beautifully-shot) eyes was 'good', and most people could cheer for that. The other juries in that movie had that sort of 'goodness' deep down in their hearts and that is why most people felt satisfied after watching "12 Angry Men".
In my experience, it is very hard to change other people's opinions. Even if they do, they can never change their 'feelings'. They can never totally agree against their intuition unless their 'feelings' are fixed. People rely on their reasons because they 'feel' they are true.
But I'm Japanese. This may be a Japanese way of see things. And that may be why I come to like this Japanese parody of "12 Angry Men".
Still, it is quite fair to say "12 Gentle Japanese" is one of the Japanese classics. It successfully illustrates Japanese way of seeing 'justice'. Japanese jury system finally began in 2008 (not exactly the same as American system though), and today the movie's presence is even stronger.
In Japan, unlike in US, perhaps, intuition or feelings often weigh more than reasons. And likewise, often 'what is appropriate' is more important than 'what is true'. We don't trust in men of reasons easily. All the juries represent that sort of Japanese nature well.
However I don't rate 10 to this movie like I do to other Japanese classics like Ozu's. What is most dramatic about modern Japanese society is that we have severe conflict between 'what we have been' and 'what we will better be'. I cannot see this conflict in "12 Gentle Japanese" and it should have been included. All the juries represent what I call Japanese nature so well, but none of them seem to be doubtful for that. All casts look like just pieces of chess, i.e. 'I am the one who change my mind easily' or 'I only believe in my intuition'. They only represent what they should represent. They don't doubt themselves.
I heard that this was originally written for a play in the theater. That may be why the performances are over-the-top and stereotyped. Or not. In either way, this movie is 8/10 for me, now.
In 1957, 'justice' still existed. To believe in young man's (beautifully-shot) eyes was 'good', and most people could cheer for that. The other juries in that movie had that sort of 'goodness' deep down in their hearts and that is why most people felt satisfied after watching "12 Angry Men".
In my experience, it is very hard to change other people's opinions. Even if they do, they can never change their 'feelings'. They can never totally agree against their intuition unless their 'feelings' are fixed. People rely on their reasons because they 'feel' they are true.
But I'm Japanese. This may be a Japanese way of see things. And that may be why I come to like this Japanese parody of "12 Angry Men".
Still, it is quite fair to say "12 Gentle Japanese" is one of the Japanese classics. It successfully illustrates Japanese way of seeing 'justice'. Japanese jury system finally began in 2008 (not exactly the same as American system though), and today the movie's presence is even stronger.
In Japan, unlike in US, perhaps, intuition or feelings often weigh more than reasons. And likewise, often 'what is appropriate' is more important than 'what is true'. We don't trust in men of reasons easily. All the juries represent that sort of Japanese nature well.
However I don't rate 10 to this movie like I do to other Japanese classics like Ozu's. What is most dramatic about modern Japanese society is that we have severe conflict between 'what we have been' and 'what we will better be'. I cannot see this conflict in "12 Gentle Japanese" and it should have been included. All the juries represent what I call Japanese nature so well, but none of them seem to be doubtful for that. All casts look like just pieces of chess, i.e. 'I am the one who change my mind easily' or 'I only believe in my intuition'. They only represent what they should represent. They don't doubt themselves.
I heard that this was originally written for a play in the theater. That may be why the performances are over-the-top and stereotyped. Or not. In either way, this movie is 8/10 for me, now.
