Chunichi Shimbun Morning Edition – July 28, 2006 When listing the greatest films of all time, Citizen Kane  (1941, USA) is always among the top. Based on a true story, this masterpiece portrays the loneliness of a man consumed by his relentless pursuit of power and fame. Orson Welles, only 25 at the time, took on the roles of writer, director, and lead actor. The film opens with the death of Charles Foster Kane, a powerful figure in the newspaper industry. With his final brea

Chunichi Shimbun Morning Edition, July 21, 2006 What do people hold on to when they lose their health, go bankrupt, or lose a loved one? The 1985 American film Out of Africa , starring Meryl Streep, makes us reflect on the strength of the human spirit. Set in the early 20th century, the story follows Karen, a wealthy single woman who pursues her dream in the vast lands of Africa. She marries a baron who loves hunting and moves to Kenya. It was a time when men dominated societ

The Chunichi Shimbun, Morning Edition – July 14, 2006 For Americans, the city of Philadelphia holds a special place in their hearts. It is where the Declaration of Independence—proclaiming liberty, equality, and fraternity—was adopted, marking the birth of the United States. The film Philadelphia  (1993), in which Tom Hanks plays a lawyer diagnosed with AIDS, is also a powerful work that questions the meaning of equality and human dignity. Andrew, an elite lawyer at a prestig

Chunichi Shimbun Morning Edition – July 7, 2006 Do you remember the 1998 Academy Awards? While Titanic  seemed poised to sweep all the major categories, it was As Good as It Gets  that stole the spotlight—Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt won Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively. This unforgettable middle-aged couple is now part of cinematic history. The main character is a renowned romance novelist, but ironically, he is hopeless when it comes to relationships. He also suff

The Chunichi Shimbun Morning Edition – June 30, 2006 Leukemia, a type of blood cancer, is known as a difficult and serious illness. The most effective treatment is a bone marrow transplant from a donor who provides hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells. The film Marvin’s Room  (1996, USA), which we’ll introduce today, tells the story of a strained relationship between parent and child, and between sisters, who begin to open their hearts to each other through the experience of l

Chunichi Shimbun Morning Edition – June 23, 2006 Let’s take a break from older films and look at a more recent release. This time, I’d like to introduce the Shochiku film Yawarakai Seikatsu  ( It’s Only Talk ). The protagonist, Yuko (played by Shinobu Terajima), has been forging ahead on a high-powered career path. But after the sudden deaths of her parents and her best friend, she falls into shock and is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder—commonly known as man