Viewed on DVD. Intertitles = ten (10) stars; restoration = nine (9) stars. Director Yasujiro Ozu's first time at bat with this story line (he remade the same story--pretty much shot for shot--25 years later). From dramatic delivery and audience-engaging perspectives, this photo play is by far his best iteration (the first time is charm; the second just pretty to look at). Basic film building blocks (script, directing/editing, acting, and cinematography/lighting) are fully exploited and integrated here demonstrating that (when a director so desires) overall a film can be far greater than the sum of its technical components. And this movie's craftsmanship benefited greatly by being mounted at the peak of (and a bit beyond) the golden years of silent films in Japan (sound came into full bloom in Japan a few years after it occurred in the West). Acting can often be mesmerizing with performances touching but not crossing too far over into the blatant melodramatic. Film dynamics and audience interest are also enhance by eschewing long, slow takes and with the actor(s)/actress(es) who are in frame and facing the camera always the ones delivering the lines. No "back acting" in this movie. But what would become the director's other trademarks are already in play including: static camera placements (the camera seems to be just sitting there waiting for something (anything!) to happen); laundry lines; trains; and ugly overhead power lines. Opening credits are shot against a burlap backdrop as are all future films from this director. There are many memorable scenes including one of an actress casually strolling along the top of the curved rail of a train track in 3-4 inch high platform sandals! Intertitles seem okay (but others who read Japanese symbols better than I may disagree) and are just the right lengths. Restoration is quite good--the film looks much younger than it really is. However, all credits and titles exhibit frame jitters, some wear-related artifacts were ignored, and dark (and fade to dark) scenes often show age-related deterioration. The piano score was especially composed for this DVD, and is excellent. Highly recommended. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
Review of A Story of Floating Weeds
