Uchida Tomu's YOSHIWARA, THE PLEASURE QUARTER is an example of superb film-making that, in my opinion, only makes one misstep (its stock ending).
A wealthy industrialist, who is much loved for his warmth and kindness, is cursed with a terrible facial scar. As a result, he has much trouble finding a bride who can give him an heir. While visiting Yoshiwara, the famous city of whores, he is smitten by a crass prostitute who tells him: "The scar is not on your heart." Thus begins the man's moral and financial ruin.
The film is extremely sad and moving and presents a "hero" we care very much for. The manipulative vixen is an exaggerated composite of women we've all met and her shameless actions are fun to watch but stinging at the same time.
The performances are all perfectly measured and the cinematography, score and production design are flawless.
I found the ending to be out of context and a deliberate concession to popular swordplay films of the period. Still, this is elegant, powerful, solid cinema.
A wealthy industrialist, who is much loved for his warmth and kindness, is cursed with a terrible facial scar. As a result, he has much trouble finding a bride who can give him an heir. While visiting Yoshiwara, the famous city of whores, he is smitten by a crass prostitute who tells him: "The scar is not on your heart." Thus begins the man's moral and financial ruin.
The film is extremely sad and moving and presents a "hero" we care very much for. The manipulative vixen is an exaggerated composite of women we've all met and her shameless actions are fun to watch but stinging at the same time.
The performances are all perfectly measured and the cinematography, score and production design are flawless.
I found the ending to be out of context and a deliberate concession to popular swordplay films of the period. Still, this is elegant, powerful, solid cinema.