There's a special Japanese word for this type of movie: surechigai – people who pass nearby but don't see each other. The title refers to a special Laurel tree that brings eternal love. Yes, it's a love story, pure and simple. And it was a huge hit back in pre-war Japan. The movie had the sophisticated look of a Hollywood film with a story to match. The protagonists were elite and the setting was modern urban. Despite being a single mother, Katsue lived in a nice, clean home and wore beautiful western clothes. What really put this film above the ordinary melodrama was the chemistry between Tanaka and Uehara – two hugely popular stars who continued to make films after the war. Both were young and beautiful. And Uehara's hair was so slick and oiled that he looked like an illustration. But we couldn't help feeling that they were meant for each other. It was the perfect escape from an uncertain world and still holds its own today.
Review of Aizen katsura
