Review of Late Spring (1949) by Jake R — 18 Aug 2008

Beginning Ozu's 'Noriko Trilogy', this is the world's major introduction into the first significant Japanese director.

As with most of Ozu's films, this is a quiet, calmly paced story that focuses on relationships and shifting emotions within a small group of characters, a family. There's little plot, and no noticeable narrative, but there's a rhythmic pacing that shows the transition of detail in small, evenly measured portions, like a musical symphony. There are also intricately cultural attitudes and customs that are worked to show the change in Japanese culture and society at a time when the country was itself taking a metaphorical chill-pill. It isn't for people looking for an old-fashioned Hollywood-style opus, but it's a refreshing change to see an almost casual look at life in a society so very different from any other.

The performances are as nuanced as the film itself, with Ozu finding attractive leads in the father-daughter pairing of Chishu Ryu and Setsuko Haka, two actors he would work with in most of his films for the next 15 years.

A nice little film for people who want a calm and thought-provoking change to their more flashy entertainment.