Living: Oliver Hermanus’ remake of KUROSAWA Akira’s classic Ikiru further increases its pedigree by having novelist Kazuo Ishiguro write the screenplay, as it brings the action from Japan to London. The film tells the story of a bureaucrat who puts great effort into not caring about much, until he discovers he is terminally ill and doesn’t have much time to live. Bill Nighy plays the protagonist beautifully, a man with the stiffest of upper lips who nevertheless gets broken and transformed by the bad news; Aimee Lou Wood plays a subordinate with joie de vivre to spare for both of them with a good degree of charm and warmth. The film creates a rather credible and beautiful 1950s Britain, starting with the sharp, finely cut suits designed by costume designer Sandy Powell; production designer Helen Scott’s work is likewise very well done and attractive. Cinematographer Jamie D. Ramsay captures it all, lighting the scenes nicely. Composer Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch’s musical score is a nice fit.