Karami-ai

A hugely satisfying noirish morality-play, THE INHERITANCE follows the succession proceedings of a nasty industrialist's estate when he's diagnosed with terminal cancer. Locking horns over this potential fortune are: scheming subordinates, his trophy-wife, a femme-fatale of a secretary and a battery of illegitimate heirs. In their quest to secure a bigger slice of the pie, we witness them forming suspicious alliances and ruthlessly resorting to impersonation, fraud, blackmail and even murder. It's so callously cynical in its outlook that a couple's implied incest is broached as "remember when" and then immediately dismissed to concentrate on the central deception. What's refreshing and what further augments the plot's universality is that instead of conveniently blaming the capitalist mentality, Kobayashi indicts human greed (sexual and material) - as the primary cause of moral decay. Though less flamboyant than his sadistic gangster turn in BLACK RIVER - Tatsuya Nakadai plays another ethically unsavory character who's tasked with locating one of his client's unacknowledged daughters. In addition to its themes and characters, the film's noir credentials are further bolstered by a wonderfully moody jazz score and narrative voice-over.

In this morally black play for money everyone are wearing fake faces, and I must say, though it is based on a book, it's rare plot is so original that you can never guess where it is going. A wealthy businessman is dying of cancer, and his much younger wife in a loveless union is expecting to get everything, but the man reveals that he in fact has 3 illegitimate children - as investigators attempts to find them and plots are being hatched out from all angles tension grows.

Described as a drama this feels much more like a thriller. Some might have a problem with the lack of essentially any "likeable" and "good" characters (in that case this probably isn't for you), but if you seeing the darkest corners of humanity put on display this might even put a smile on your face. Yes, there is a certain level of dark glee in seeing these treacherous characters put on acts, switch on their game faces and play everyone else for a fool - and the game only becomes more and more exciting as each pawn is placed. Made in the middle of Kobayashi's golden stretch it's a shock that such a strong entry is not more acknowledged. 8.5/10.

Tatsuya Nakadai is dying of stomach cancer. One third of his estate of 300 million yen must go to his wife, but he wants the rest to go to his three illegitimate children. As his lawyers and associates gather to figure out how to steal the money, only his quiet, loyal secretary, Keiko Kishi, seems to be on his side. Seems.

Masaki Kobayashi movie of greed and lies might be a very dry, black comedy, or it might be a story of greed and corruption impure and simple. The sum of money would have been worth $1.5 million in 1962, the equivalent of $13 today. That's a lot of incentive for greed. All of the characters except Miss Kishi are open and honest about their greed when not in Nakadai's presence. Miss Kishi gives a veautiful, guarded performance.

Beside the fact that it has the beautiful and talented Keiko Kishi in it, this is an excellent movie. The twists and turns will keep you wondering. There is so much deceit going on! I cannot tell you the end, but, I was guessing along the way and still couldn't get it (the ending) until the last few minutes.

I further suggest "Ten Dark Women" if you want even more entertainment.

Masaki Kobayashi 's The Inheritance (1962) a.k.a Karami-ai, is like a slapstick comedy made on the lines of a Noir Style suspense Drama, with new twists and turns around every 1m of reel. A dying man quest to find his children in order to prepare his last will so that her not loving & somewhat selfish wife ;does not take everything from his 300 million yen fortune; takes an Agatha Christie novel like turn when all characters come into play to get theirs hands on the big bounty. There are a lot of characters but still we do not get confused with the plot and are able to witness the plans for various parties unfold in front of your screen, some to success and others to no avail. Tatsuya Nakadai's Character 'kikuo Furukawa' shines less in this film but Nakadai has still managed to give him some soul. It is keiko Kishi's "Yasuko" who turns from a mellow secretary to an Cunning Vixen, who; through clever strategies turn the tide of events in her favour. Kobayashi's this film is short, fast-paced, well structured, well executed, with a jazzy soundtrack and classy Tracking Shots ; to increase the interest and concentration of the viewers.

This Kobayashi is of the ranks of Kubrick's "The Killing(1956)", Billy Wilder's "Double Idemnity(1944)", Hawks's "The Big Sleep(1946), Akira Kurosawa's"The Bad Sleep Well" and also his own other great works like "Human Condition Trilogy", "kwaidan", "Samurai Rebellion", "Harakiri", "Black River" and should reciever more recognition as these above mentioned great works ; which from the imdb's number of votes and reviews, does not look favourable to its caliber. Definitely a treat for a Noir, Kobayashi, or any avid Cinema Fan.