AFTER THE RAIN (Ame agaru), based on a screenplay written by Akira Kurosawa, was directed by Takashi Koizumi in 1999. This film earned eight Japanese Academy awards in 2001.
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Ihei Misawa is a ronin, a samurai without master, who earns his living as a fencing instructor. But Misawa is unable to stay in the same place for more than a few weeks because of his peculiar philosophy of life. He prefers to help the poor people around him than to please a stupid master obsessed by his social rank. His wife Tayo is sad because she sees that her husband is not happy and Misawa feels guilty because he believes that he makes Tayo unhappy.
Now the couple is staying in an hostelry near the river, waiting for the rain to stop and the river to run lower. One day, the local Lord makes the acquaintance of Misawa when the samurai steps in a quarrel between young members of the his guard. Misawa is invited to the castle and spends a day conversing with Lord Shigeaki who, finally, offers to let him become the next fencing instructor of the castle. The old fencing masters of the castle are unhappy with Shigeaki's choice and demand that Misawa shows his skills against the best of the fencers. After Misawa has defeated his opponents, Shigeaki wants to fight with the samurai. During the duel, Misawa accidentally pushes Shigeaki into a fishpond. Shigeaki becomes mad when a compassionate Misawa worries about him in front of the Guard and dismisses the samurai.
Once again, Misawa's empathy prevented him from getting a good job opportunity so, after the rain has stopped, the couple decides to cross the river and leave the region.
The review of this Movie prepared by Daniel Staebler
