[Quick Summary: Based on King Lear. The Great Lord Hidetora turns over his empire to his eldest son, and it triggers in-fighting and great destruction.]
I feel bad for Hidetora, but I also don't.
He obtained his land by violence, and now it's coming back to bite him. Ironic, yes?
My favorite "gotcha" moment is the scene below.
Notice:
1) How the writers innocently set up Hidetora for a big payoff. I didn't see it coming.
2) How they get us to empathize with the occupant. This is key to making the comeuppance more emotionally satisfying.
ex. "INT. - STRAW HUT - DUSK
...TANGO: Excuse us for coming in with our shoes on, but our lord was suddenly taken ill... [Setup: Hidetora and company barge into someone's house. So unclassy.]
He steps up on the wooden floor and, together with Kyoami, carries Hidetora over to the hearth and, laying him there, addresses the occupant of the house, seemingly a woman.
TANGO (looks at the occupant): He is wet. Do you have something to cover him with? [More setup: Then they demand help. No 'please'? No manners?]
The occupant stays seated and does not move.
TANGO: Answer me, woman!
OCCUPANT: Are you talking to me?
TANGO: Yes.
The occupant of the house silent rises and goes to a corner of the room. Tango and Kyoami watch the person suspiciously. The occupant, seen from behind in the dim light, appears to be looking for something. [We get why the occupant is reluctant to help these intruders.]
The occupant rises and comes over, silently handing something over. Tango receives it - it is folded clothing. He opens it, puts it on Hidetora, and stares in surprise. It is a beautiful robe with a colorful design, out of keeping with the humble hut. Tango and Kyoami are amazed and curious as they look at it. [1st surprise/payoff: They are wrong about the robe.]
TANGO: Speak up...woman!
OCCUPANT: I am not a woman. [2nd surprise/payoff: They are wrong about the occupant.]
TANGO: What? It is so dark, I... Bring me a lamp.
Tango reaches for a stick of lighted firewood in order to take a good look at him, and notices a cane leaning by the side of the hearth.
TANGO: I am sorry. Is your eyesight poor?
He holds up the stick of firewood. The occupant of the house is illuminated in the light from the burning stick. It is the face of a blind but handsome youth. Kyoami pulls back with a start and looks at Tango. [3rd surprise/payoff: They're wrong about his disability.]
TANGO (shocked, gazes at the youth): Are you Lade Sue's younger brother...Master Tsurumaru?
TSURUMARU: Yes.
Hidetora sits up, turns his eyes, and stares at the youth. Then, his voice trembling, he mutters with a frightened voice.
HIDETORA: Tsu...Tsurumaru?
TSURUMARU: It has been a long time...Lord Hidetora.
HIDETORA: Do you remember me?
TSURUMARU: How could I forget you? I was just a child, but how could I forget the one who gouged out my eyes in exchange for sparing my life...the day you burned down my father's castle?" [4th surprise/payoff: They've dug themselves a deep well. We see why Hidetora should be ashamed and feel justified at his current comeuppance.]
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: When there's a good setup and payoff, we see why the comeuppance is justified...and it feels so cathartic!
Ran (1985)
by Akira Kurosawa & Hideo Oguni & Masato Ide
Based on "King Lear" by William Shakespeare
Translated by Tadashi Shishido
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