Late Spring - Yasujiro Ozu (1949)
Noriko is perfectly happy living at home with her widowed father, Shukichi, and has no plans to marry -- that is, until her aunt Masa convinces Shukichi that unless he marries off his 27-year-old daughter soon, she will likely remain alone for the rest of her life. When Noriko resists Masa's matchmaking, Shukichi is forced to deceive his daughter and sacrifice his own happiness to do what he believes is right.
My first Ozu experience...there's an instant warmth to this world he creates, lovely soothing music, pillow shots slowly, calmly introducing the environment, it feels so nice and it makes the back of my neck tingle for some reason; like when getting my hair cut.
The characters all exude happiness but are dealing with subtle internal conflicts which emerges naturally over time, welling up to that genius final shot of quiet contemplation.
Like Kiarostama, Ozu understands that it's the little things that matter.
9/10 #latespring #norikotrilogy #yasujiroozu #shomingeki #cinematicrealism #socialrealism #reviewsonrealism #japanesecinema #japanesemasters #thedonttellshow
