Only saw it once long ago, among many other masterpieces. It immediately and singularly became my deeply ingrained reference model for the mechanics of fateful changes in life, following your heart, the absolute happiness of meaningful sacrifice, cathartic paradigm shifts, and a host of other vital concepts that are otherwise difficult to visualize.
I just saw this last night and was going to add it. I agree totally with your take.
This is available on the Criterion streaming service which has many other good movies. If OP signs up try also Night on Earth by Jim Jarmusch, a look at transitional moments in life through taxi cab rides occurring simultaneously in five cities.
If you have a library card, your local library may provide free access to Kanopy, which has Ikiru, as well as a couple other Kurosawa and Jarmusch films.
Only saw it once long ago, among many other masterpieces. It immediately and singularly became my deeply ingrained reference model for the mechanics of fateful changes in life, following your heart, the absolute happiness of meaningful sacrifice, cathartic paradigm shifts, and a host of other vital concepts that are otherwise difficult to visualize.