I have not yet seen the acclaimed remake, but this film does not compare to other Ozu silents such as 'Woman of Tokyo' or the masterpiece with similar, "boy, grow up to be a better man than your father" themes - 'I was Born, But'.
The best scenes here are when the emotional heart of the scene is hinted at, rather than spoken abruptly. For instance, when we first learn the boy is the son of this man and woman, it is learned without being said - and the emotional weight of the scene is less in learning the fact, than in the way these two characters react to it without ever speaking of it directly. Unfortunately the film more often goes for high melodrama than this subtle approach, which feeling too staged, left me feeling oddly unaffected.
That being said Ozu does manage to create an enticing mood in parts and it is well acted.
The best scenes here are when the emotional heart of the scene is hinted at, rather than spoken abruptly. For instance, when we first learn the boy is the son of this man and woman, it is learned without being said - and the emotional weight of the scene is less in learning the fact, than in the way these two characters react to it without ever speaking of it directly. Unfortunately the film more often goes for high melodrama than this subtle approach, which feeling too staged, left me feeling oddly unaffected.
That being said Ozu does manage to create an enticing mood in parts and it is well acted.