This is a silent film, as talking pictures arrived much later to Japan than they did in the United States and even much of Europe. Also, the print is badly degraded--making this an excellent candidate for future restoration.
The film begins at a college, though you'd never know that based on the way the characters are behaving. The instructor is leading everyone in calisthenics and inspecting their clothing--just like a sergeant at boot camp. One of the students is the biggest problem student--a bit of a slacker.
A few years pass and the story centers on that slacker. He has been working for an insurance company and is anticipating his year-end bonus. However, the same day bonuses are disbursed, one of his older co-workers is fired and he is so incensed that he confronts his boss and he, too, is fired. Much of the film concerns his efforts to find work and the impact on the family. Eventually, like most Ozu films, there is a nice happy ending.
If you are looking for a deep story of great significance, you probably will be a bit disappointed. Now I am not complaining--just making a point of the style of the film. It is meant purely as a slice of life film and as such is quite enjoyable.
Like the later films of director Ozu, this one features the usual stationary camera at lower than usual angles--and a camera that does not follow the people in the scene. While highly unusual and a bit archaic, this was Ozu's style and he managed to make it work well. What is NOT like Ozu's customary style, however, is the occasionally slapstick style of this early film. While some of his other movies have tiny bits of comedy (such as one where two boys badger their father for a TV), this one has lots of funny little tidbits you just wouldn't expect from one of his films--such as the scene where the records are broken, the novel way in which the father sharpens his pencil at work and the way the two kids fight.
While not a great film, I do recommend it--particularly if you like Ozu. If you have not seen his other films, I recommend you perhaps try some of his later films first--as they look a bit nicer and have a bit more polish.
The film begins at a college, though you'd never know that based on the way the characters are behaving. The instructor is leading everyone in calisthenics and inspecting their clothing--just like a sergeant at boot camp. One of the students is the biggest problem student--a bit of a slacker.
A few years pass and the story centers on that slacker. He has been working for an insurance company and is anticipating his year-end bonus. However, the same day bonuses are disbursed, one of his older co-workers is fired and he is so incensed that he confronts his boss and he, too, is fired. Much of the film concerns his efforts to find work and the impact on the family. Eventually, like most Ozu films, there is a nice happy ending.
If you are looking for a deep story of great significance, you probably will be a bit disappointed. Now I am not complaining--just making a point of the style of the film. It is meant purely as a slice of life film and as such is quite enjoyable.
Like the later films of director Ozu, this one features the usual stationary camera at lower than usual angles--and a camera that does not follow the people in the scene. While highly unusual and a bit archaic, this was Ozu's style and he managed to make it work well. What is NOT like Ozu's customary style, however, is the occasionally slapstick style of this early film. While some of his other movies have tiny bits of comedy (such as one where two boys badger their father for a TV), this one has lots of funny little tidbits you just wouldn't expect from one of his films--such as the scene where the records are broken, the novel way in which the father sharpens his pencil at work and the way the two kids fight.
While not a great film, I do recommend it--particularly if you like Ozu. If you have not seen his other films, I recommend you perhaps try some of his later films first--as they look a bit nicer and have a bit more polish.