A murder case brought back into the courts after after many years. Three versions of a story of the events and a Lawyer who wants to do what is right, this is The Third Murder from director Hirokazu Koreeda (NOBODY KNOWS, I WISH).
On trial for the murder of his boss 30 years previous Misumi (Koji Yahusho - BABEL, 13 ASSASSINS) decides it is time to change the story of the events that happened on that fateful night by telling his Lawyer Shigemori (Masaharu Fukuyama - Suspect X, Like Father, Like Son) he is innocent. With the install charges of Murder and burglary disputed three new stories are brought to light. Did the murdered man's wife pay Misumi to kill her husband? or was it the disgusting actions of the dead man to his own daughter lead to Misumi killing him to protect the girl. Or is it the third murder story, the story that Misumi is actually innocent and had nothing to do with this murder at all.
This movie shows yet again that Japan is one of the best film making countries in the world. The Third Murder is full of little twists and turns which, even at the films conclusion, will leave you with more questions. This is a film that makes you ask yourself, What really did happen on that fateful night. Koji Yahusho was perfect in this film, he plays the innocent looking Misumi so well that as a viewer you actually think he may be innocent.
The story however is key to why this film is so well done. Hirokazu Koreeda brings so much depth to each character and directs the film so beautifully at times, for example the prison scene where Misumi is trying to feed a bird from his hand, it shows the humanity in the character that adds another layer of doubt that he did kill his boss. It is all so well pieced together.
If you like a good legal drama, or you are fan of British court dramas you will love The Third Murder.
On trial for the murder of his boss 30 years previous Misumi (Koji Yahusho - BABEL, 13 ASSASSINS) decides it is time to change the story of the events that happened on that fateful night by telling his Lawyer Shigemori (Masaharu Fukuyama - Suspect X, Like Father, Like Son) he is innocent. With the install charges of Murder and burglary disputed three new stories are brought to light. Did the murdered man's wife pay Misumi to kill her husband? or was it the disgusting actions of the dead man to his own daughter lead to Misumi killing him to protect the girl. Or is it the third murder story, the story that Misumi is actually innocent and had nothing to do with this murder at all.
This movie shows yet again that Japan is one of the best film making countries in the world. The Third Murder is full of little twists and turns which, even at the films conclusion, will leave you with more questions. This is a film that makes you ask yourself, What really did happen on that fateful night. Koji Yahusho was perfect in this film, he plays the innocent looking Misumi so well that as a viewer you actually think he may be innocent.
The story however is key to why this film is so well done. Hirokazu Koreeda brings so much depth to each character and directs the film so beautifully at times, for example the prison scene where Misumi is trying to feed a bird from his hand, it shows the humanity in the character that adds another layer of doubt that he did kill his boss. It is all so well pieced together.
If you like a good legal drama, or you are fan of British court dramas you will love The Third Murder.
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