This film, made roughly 50 years ago, could easily be remade now and be relevant.
It takes place in post-war Japan, where society is trying to adjust to a modern, American way of life. This means a fascination with space toys, candy, and convertibles. But it also means getting cutthroat in business. Rivals are now treated with malice, not honor, and a man (or woman) must work restlessly in the rotten pursuit of money.
The plot outlines several relationships -- business, mentor, romantic, friendship -- and tests them all. There is a great dichotomy between the old feelings of being faithful to one's country and the new, individualist culture. What's interesting is that one gets the sense that these characters have swapped company for country, and, still loyal, the Japanese are now less honorable.
If remade, it could evoke great films like Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) and Wall Street (1987) and explore the moral landscape that brought us to the current economic situation we all find ourselves in.
The end of Giants and Toys is bittersweet and wonderfully ambiguous; it leaves the viewer to make sense of it for himself. That is what we all will be doing in a few years.
No comments:
Post a Comment