Even though I had promised myself I wouldn't make more reviews for any Ozu's work (if you like his style, you'll probably like all of his works), I just obviously can't seem to contain myself, as I think Ozu deserves more praise and recognition.
The family Kohayagawa are preparing themselves to marry one of the family members, Noriko, the youngest daughter, while her sister Akiko, widowed with two children, receives a marriage proposition by a man who is socially and economically well – placed. The family patriarch, however, has a curious behavior. He constantly visits his former lover Tsune, behavior for which his daughter Fumiko reproaches him. The old man suffers from a sudden heart attack, though, which leads Fumiko to not reproach him anymore.
You may have noticed this is yet another Ozu's film based on family matters. Indeed, it seemed to me this was sort of a rehash of his former efforts because he repeats many of his old dramatic scenes. Although if you are only reviewing that aspect of the film you would be missing the point, as I think this is yet the most beautifully shot and image – based film in his entire filmography. I found myself contemplating every single frame of the many surprisingly shot scenes, even though the plot didn't get me all that hooked. The amazing colors all around the film also help enhance the beauty of its content.
Regarding the acting, I would just have to mention it is incredible and fitting to what's being portrayed (as usual in Ozu's films). However,one thing that always surprises me is the appearance of Chishi Ryu in all of Ozu's films; whether it is a complete appearance or just one or two simple scenes in the whole film, he's always there. We can see him almost at the end of the film standing by a lake next to a woman that seems to be his wife, beholding a chimney which expels the ashes of the deceased father of the Kohayagawa family.
This film might be a tad weak on the plot side, but on the technical and image side is much stronger and worth watching.
My score: 9/10
The family Kohayagawa are preparing themselves to marry one of the family members, Noriko, the youngest daughter, while her sister Akiko, widowed with two children, receives a marriage proposition by a man who is socially and economically well – placed. The family patriarch, however, has a curious behavior. He constantly visits his former lover Tsune, behavior for which his daughter Fumiko reproaches him. The old man suffers from a sudden heart attack, though, which leads Fumiko to not reproach him anymore.
You may have noticed this is yet another Ozu's film based on family matters. Indeed, it seemed to me this was sort of a rehash of his former efforts because he repeats many of his old dramatic scenes. Although if you are only reviewing that aspect of the film you would be missing the point, as I think this is yet the most beautifully shot and image – based film in his entire filmography. I found myself contemplating every single frame of the many surprisingly shot scenes, even though the plot didn't get me all that hooked. The amazing colors all around the film also help enhance the beauty of its content.
Regarding the acting, I would just have to mention it is incredible and fitting to what's being portrayed (as usual in Ozu's films). However,one thing that always surprises me is the appearance of Chishi Ryu in all of Ozu's films; whether it is a complete appearance or just one or two simple scenes in the whole film, he's always there. We can see him almost at the end of the film standing by a lake next to a woman that seems to be his wife, beholding a chimney which expels the ashes of the deceased father of the Kohayagawa family.
This film might be a tad weak on the plot side, but on the technical and image side is much stronger and worth watching.
My score: 9/10