Is Dersu Uzala. Russian Dreams of Kurosawa Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2020)

📖 The Core Premise

Dersu Uzala. Russian Dreams of Kurosawa returns to the screen in 2020, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "In 1971, the frustrated Akira Kurosawa made an unsuccessful attempt to cut his veins. His life was restored by the opportunity offered by Mosfilm: to make the first Soviet-Japanese collaborative film "Dersu Uzala". The documentary reflects the challenging shooting period and captures the memories of crew members more than 40 years later."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Teruyo Nogami attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Dersu Uzala. Russian Dreams of Kurosawa worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Dersu Uzala. Russian Dreams of Kurosawa misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 120 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.