“Kurosawa nudged Japan both politically and aesthetically into a new era.”

“… demonstrates how the past always seems to elude us, no matter what tools we bring to bear on it.”

“… takes its time getting interesting.”

“… a ‘let them eat cake’ distraction for the multiplex crowd.”

“Streep is as loose as she’s ever been…”

“A collage of religio-goth gestures…”

“Streep has what can only be called a commanding fragility.”

“A crucial time-capsule movie…”

“… inflicts a contrived construct on Zendaya and Robert Pattinson, one from which they never escape.”

“… an unhurried meditation on prodigal singers and profligate love.”