Drunken Angel is a 1948 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa. The movie sets in post-war Tokyo, where the society is still reeling from the consequences of the Second World War. The story follows a small-time gangster named Matsunaga who is suffering from tuberculosis, and his encounter with a drunken doctor named Sanada.
Sanada, played by Toshiro Mifune, is full of bravado and is not afraid to speak his mind, which often lands him in trouble. Matsunaga, played by Takashi Shimura, approaches Sanada to get treatment for his disease, but Sanada refuses to take him as a patient initially. However, they soon develop an unlikely bond that is cemented by their shared experiences of life's struggles.
As the story progresses, Matsunaga gets into a conflict with a bigger gangster, which leads to a violent confrontation. Meanwhile, Sanada tries to navigate his complicated personal life, which involves falling in love with a hostess and dealing with his alcoholism.
Drunken Angel is a gritty, realistic portrayal of post-war Japan, and it highlights the dark underbelly of the society. The movie is also notable for being the first collaboration between Kurosawa and Mifune, who went on to become one of the most iconic director-actor duos in movie history.
