Umi wa miteita 2002

Janice Page, Boston Globe: Kurosawa's script, with its lyrical mix of metaphors and signature moments of song, will at the very least remind you of his greatness. Read more

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune: Filled with love and melancholy, it's a fitting, fond epilogue to [Kurosawa]. Read more

Elvis Mitchell, New York Times: At times this material is simple nearly to the point of simple-mindedness. But the movie isn't dumb, though it is dismaying to discover that even Kurosawa had an unfilmed script romanticizing the need of prostitutes for love. Read more

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: It has a softer edge than the master probably would have delivered, but it is deeply affecting and recalls the Kumai film best known in the U.S., the 1974 Sandakan 8. Read more

Ella Taylor, L.A. Weekly: Despite a hopelessly corny score, the movie is redeemed by a goofily touching final scene. Read more

Jami Bernard, New York Daily News: There's plenty to appreciate here but the story is tedious and some of the overacting runs into cultural translation problems. Read more

C.W. Nevius, San Francisco Chronicle: It is a little like following a Jane Austen novel. Read more

Ed Park, Village Voice: The formidable lineage, alas, doesn't make for a compelling work. Read more