Review of An Autumn Afternoon (1962) by Luke B — 16 Sep 2011

The second film I had the pleasure to see during the Ozu Retrospective in Seoul. Out of his 36 surviving films only the last 6 were in color. Despite this he proved himself to be a master of color. Not surprising really when this is a man who effortlessly adapted throughout his career, most notably from silents to talkies.

This was to be Ozu's last film, and it's an absolute corker. It really does combine many of the beautiful elements from his previous work. Some have even gone so far as to call this a remake of Late Spring.

Ryu plays a widower with three children. His married son, his unmarried daughter that society dictates should start thinking about marriage, and his youngest son. What many may fail to notice is the subtle adaptability of the protagonist.

He wanders between a series of close friends. With his upper class peers in an impressive restaurant, an old working class army friend in a westernized bar, and an old teacher going through hard times running a noodle shop.

It is the latter that sets Ryu on his quest to find his daughter a husband, so that she doesn't end up a bitter and elderly carer of her father. Ozu really does paint a delicate picture of the different classes, the old and the new, and traditional Japan vs.

the Americanization. His real talent comes in intertwining all of these scenarios without one ever judging the other. Ryu is kind and pleasant, and even jokes that is is probably best that Japan lost the war.

This is also the funniest Ozu film I have seen. Perhaps because I saw it in Asia where some of the scenes had the audience in hysterics. There's no denying there are some incredibly well handled moments of comedy, such as the fake-outs the friends play on each other.

The friendship between Ryu and his closest friends is played out so well. They joke, they share drinks, and without ever saying it, you can see the love they all have for each other. Another highlight is Sada, as Ryu's eldest child, currently married.

His little tantrum over gold clubs is both comical and endearing. At the end of the movie it has a rather bitter taste, but not one that makes you feel depressed. Nobody really gets what they want, and the friendly trio discuss being left alone.

And yet, Ozu brings out the beauty in this poetic look at mundane life. It gives the sense that all this is for the best. A wonderful way to end a magnificent career.