A touching farewell, Kurosawa saying "Madadayo" ("Not yet!) to death, but knowing that death is inevitable. The compassion his students show for him after he retires at 60, with him thinking that that's when he's an "old man," is heartfelt. There are some very lovely, natural scenes here - the husband and wife in their small shack through the changing seasons, the birthday party at 60 with the beer chugging and toasts (such brilliant, organic acting all around!), and the older man at 77 telling the young kids to "find something you really like" when it comes time to choose a path in life. Unfortunately, the second half of the film labors through an awfully long subplot involving a lost cat, and too much of the film is spent in gatherings, drinking and singing old songs. Its heart is in the right place and it gives a perspective on old age and the value of maintaining lifelong camaraderie, but it just got a little tedious to watch at times. I absolutely loved the final scene, dreaming back to youth, and wish the film had had more flashbacks to explain this man's life as a teacher. Certainly worth seeing because it's Kurosawa's last film and it touches the heartstrings, but it's not one I'd reach for again.