Review of Late Spring (2014) by Micheline M — 13 Nov 2007

I am constantly amazed at how contemporary Ozu's work seems. Late Spring is a must for any film fan, and a terrific companion to Tokyo Story. Once again, the movie stars Chisu Ryu (as the father) and Setsuko Hara as his daughter.

The movie weaves the bigger subject of post-war Japan with the initimate subject of a man who is encouraging his daughter to marry, rather than spend her days tending to his needs. It is a story of selfishness versus selflessness, of loneliness versus the Japanese need to be part of a group, even if only a group of two.

I ache for Noriko as she tries to cling to her father, and ache for her father who ultimately pushes her out of the nest. The subplot of the romance that Noriko actually could have had is intriguing. In a 21st century setting, she might have chosen to pursue a man to whom she was suited, but in mid-20th century Japan, she did as she was told.

Despite the fact that it moves slowly, and has little of the fireworks of a Hollywood or even a Kurasawa film, Late Spring has an elegance all its own.