Yasujiro Ozu

[Gregory]

I agree with that interpretation, but I think that part of the film remains mournful to the extent that one has compassion for the family's shock of his sudden loss. But you're right -- it doesn't do justice to the film's richness to characterize the final act with only one word, as I did.

[Michael Kerpan]

The ending of this film is as ambiguous as they come in Ozu -- rendered seemingly clearer only by the inappropriately portentous scoring. (Did Ozu lack final approval of the scoring here -- because this was made for Toho, rather than the more compliant Shochiku?)

[zedz]

Have now seen Tokyo Twilight, and I'm happy to report that the Panorama disc looks good. It's rather low-contrast (pale blacks and dark whites), but the source print looks to be in fine condition, so the chances of a dazzling transfer at some future point are strong.

I enjoyed the film a lot, but it's far from my favourite 50s Ozu. Whereas Early Spring struck me as a real Ozu film that delves into very dark territory (as mentioned before, sort of the evil twin of Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice), Tokyo Twilight seemed much more like a pre-prepared grim melodrama that happened to be directed (superbly) by Ozu.

The difference, for me, was the same as what I found with the similarly melodramatic Hen in the Wind. In these films, the characters seem to be defined and directed by the plot, rather than the plot arising from the interactions between individually conceived characters. As a consequence, those characters seem to be lacking a dimension - they're behaving in a certain way (e.g. being hit by a train) because that's what happens to characters in This Kind of Story, rather than acting of their own volition - an illusion that Ozu creates so beautifully in his greatest films.

Regardless, I recommend this disc without hesitation: one of the nicest Panoramas, and a film that can greatly expand your understanding of Ozu's cinema.

[Michael Kerpan]

I think "Tokyo Twilight" works a lot better than "Hen in the Wind" (which I still admire quite a bit, mind you). I found the characters generally quite credible (barring Hara's husband -- who seemed a bit over the top at times).

[zedz]

I think "Tokyo Twilight" works a lot better than "Hen in the Wind" (which I still admire quite a bit, mind you). I found the characters generally quite credible (barring Hara's husband -- who seemed a bit over the top at times).

Agreed. It's a good film, just less Ozuesque than I like! By the way, when Setsuko Hara turns nasty, isn't it a slap in the face? I think the scenes where she confronts her mother are the most chilling (and effective) in the film.

[Michael Kerpan]

By the way, when Setsuko Hara turns nasty, isn't it a slap in the face? I think the scenes where she confronts her mother are the most chilling (and effective) in the film.

Hara is terribly damaged goods here. She is not "evil", but she has zero empathy. Her younger sister is in obvious trouble -- and she ees nothing.

Chishu Ryu is far more chilling than Hara -- while he has an affable exterior, he simply doesn't give a damn about his children (and presumably was similarly uninterested in his wife).

[blindside8zao]

Just dropping in to see what my next Ozu purchase should be. I got Floating Weeds and Story of... last year and loved them a lot. Any suggestions?

[Michael Kerpan]

Just dropping in to see what my next Ozu purchase should be. I got Floating Weeds and Story of... last year and loved them a lot. Any suggestions?

Well --- can you play R2 and R3 DVDs? If not, you are pretty much limited to whatever Criterion has released (or will eventiually release some day).

[zedz]

Of the Criterions, I'd heartily endorse Early Summer, one of my all-time favourite films. Tokyo Story is also indispensible, of course.

Otherwise, the UK Tartan Record of a Tenement Gentleman / Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice is great (particularly the latter film, a delightfully sharp comedy), though its meagre extras include possibly the weakest commentary track I've ever heard.

Panoramas are a mixed bag (see posts above), but The Only Son is a decent transfer of a great film. There Was a Father is a masterpiece and Early Spring will give you a fresh angle on Ozu, but the Panorama discs of both are very poor.

Other essential films, in my opinion, are I Was Born, But. . . and Late Spring, but I don't know what the available discs are like.

[Michael Kerpan]

There Was a Father is a masterpiece and Early Spring will give you a fresh angle on Ozu, but the Panorama discs of both are very poor.

The unsubbed Shochiku DVD of "Father"is probably no better -- the film seems to be very poorly preserved. The Shochiku "Early Spring" is fine (it's on a DVD-9 -- so no compression problems).

If you want to check out the silents on Panorama -- I also recommend the very enjoyable "Walk Cheerfully" and the superb "Inn at Tokyo".

[shirobamba]

If you want to check out the silents on Panorama -- I also recommend the very enjoyable "Walk Cheerfully" and the superb "Inn at Tokyo".

Michael, did I miss something? Has "Walk Cheerfully" been released by Panorama yet?

[Michael Kerpan]

Wishful thinking. Sorry.

But if Panorama DOES release this... Which silents ARE still missing from them?

[zedz]

Which silents ARE still missing from them?

To the best of my knowledge, all of these:

Days Of Youth
Walk Cheerfully
I Flunked, But...
That Night's Wife
The Lady and the Beard
Tokyo Chorus
Where Now Are The Dreams Of Youth?
Woman Of Tokyo
Dragnet Girl
A Mother Should Be Loved (incomplete)

Which just makes me more impatient for that phantasmal Criterion Ozu silents box set, but I presume Panorama will be working their way through these in time?

[Michael Kerpan]

"Where Now Are the Dreams of Youth" is certainly Ozu's most violent film (though not so much so as Shimizu's "The Young Master Goes to College"). It strikes me as having a bit of a split personality -- as the transition from light-hearted to more serious material is rather abrupt. That said, this is hardly a "minor film".

I wish the source materials were better preserved.

[jorencain]

Anyone in the Baltimore area: The Charles Theatre is presenting several Ozu films over the next couple months.

WHAT DID THE LADY FORGET? 12/24, 12/26, 12/29.
THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE TODA FAMILY 12/31, 1/2, 1/5.
THERE WAS A FATHER 1/7. 1/9, 1/12.
RECORD OF A TENEMENT GENTLEMAN 1/14, 1/16, 1/19.
A HEN IN THE WIND 1/21, 1/23, 1/26.
LATE SPRING 1/28, 1/30, 2/2.
EARLY SUMMER 2/4, 2/6, 2/9.
THE FLAVOR OF GREEN TEA OVER RICE 2/11, 2/13, 2/16.
TOKYO STORY 2/18, 2/20, 2/23.
EARLY SPRING 2/25, 2/27, 3/2.
TOKYO TWILIGHT 3/4, 3/6, 3/9.
EQUINOX FLOWER 3/11, 3/13, 3/16.
GOOD MORNING 3/18, 3/20, 3/23.
LATE AUTUMN 3/25, 3/27, 3/30.
AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON 4/1, 4/3, 4/6.

If there 4 or 5 of these that I MUST see, what would they be (I have all of the Criterion Ozu's, but that is all that I've seen of his films)? Thanks.

[David Ehrenstein]

If there 4 or 5 of these that I MUST see, what would they be

THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE TODA FAMILY 12/31, 1/2, 1/5.
THERE WAS A FATHER 1/7. 1/9, 1/12.
RECORD OF A TENEMENT GENTLEMAN 1/14, 1/16, 1/19.
THE FLAVOR OF GREEN TEA OVER RICE 2/11, 2/13, 2/16.
EQUINOX FLOWER 3/11, 3/13, 3/16

[Michael Kerpan]

I'd personally say that you need to see ALL of the ones being shown -- but then perhaps I'm biased.

Top picks (of films you haven't seen on DVD)

WHAT DID THE LADY FORGET? 12/24, 12/26, 12/29.
LATE SPRING 1/28, 1/30, 2/2.
TOKYO TWILIGHT 3/4, 3/6, 3/9.
EQUINOX FLOWER 3/11, 3/13, 3/16.
AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON 4/1, 4/3, 4/6.

Almost as indispensable:

RECORD OF A TENEMENT GENTLEMAN 1/14, 1/16, 1/19.
A HEN IN THE WIND 1/21, 1/23, 1/26.
THE FLAVOR OF GREEN TEA OVER RICE 2/11, 2/13, 2/16.
EARLY SPRING 2/25, 2/27, 3/2.
LATE AUTUMN 3/25, 3/27, 3/30.

I would recommend that one see these screened -- despite having these at home:

EARLY SUMMER 2/4, 2/6, 2/9.
TOKYO STORY 2/18, 2/20, 2/23.
GOOD MORNING 3/18, 3/20, 3/23. (this should look radically different from the garish DVD)

[jorencain]

Thanks a lot, you guys, for the recommendations. I'll check out as many as my pocketbook will allow.

[Michael Kerpan]

Luckily, these showings are well spaced. It was a pain trying to get to get to 6 or so films a week when the Ozu retrospective came to Boston.

The most "controversial" of the films coming to your area is "Hen in the Wind" -- it is one of Ozu's least typical films -- and some Ozu fans didn't care much for it. I think the unique ambience and style -- and Tanaka's great lead performance -- make up for any "flaws".

"Tokyo Twilight" is Ozu's grimmest film by far. Set in winter (instead of the normal summer) -- with Chishu Ryu and Setsuko Hara playing unlikeable inversions of their normal Ozu characters. Ineko Arima is wonderful here as the unhappy heroine -- as is Isuzu Yamada as her estranged (but still concerned) mother (hard to link this character with her "Lady Macbeth" of the same year).

[rlendog]

just dropping in to see what my next Ozu purchase should be. I got Floating Weeds and Story of... last year and loved them a lot. Any suggestions?

Well --- can you play R2 and R3 DVDs? If not, you are pretty much limited to whatever Criterion has released (or will eventiually release some day).

A number of R3 Panorama and Boying releases do play on R1 DVD players. I have been able to watch the Panorama "There Was a Father", Equinox Flower" and "Early Spring" and the Boying "Late Spring" on my R1 player.

I also have the Panorama "Passing Fancy", "What Did the Lady Forget" and "Record of a Tenament Gentleman" and the Boying "Only Son" and "Flavor of Green Tea Over Rice", which the ebay sellers claimed would play on R1 players and although I haven't tried them yet I so far all the DVDs I have tried that the seller claimed play in R1 were correct.

You can also watch some Ozus on VHS. The ones that are available (used) for US players that haven't been released on Criterion DVD (that I am aware of) are:

I Was Born But...
Record of a Tenament Gentleman
Late Spring
Equinox Flower
Autumn Afternoon

[Michael Kerpan]

Avoid the New Yorker video of "Equinox Flower" -- it really makes the film look remarkably ugly visually speaking. Horribly mis-balanced color-wise -- and the ugliest (and most distracting) subtitle font I've ever encountered. Find some way to play the Panorama DVD if you want to see this utterly wonderful comedy.

[shirobamba]

An Autumn Afternoon will be released by AV Channel in Australia on February 15 2006 as a 2-disc set.

Could anyone eventually report back the details (p/q etc.) and/or reviews about this release? Couldn't find anything yet.

It's up on Yesasia for a reasonable price (if you count in the ww free shipping).

[rlendog]

I don't know if anyone saw the Criterion newsletter today, but they say Late Spring is coming out this year! After more than 20 Ozu-less months and counting I can't think of a better way to jump start the Ozu Crtierion releases.

[htdm]

I think the consensus on another thread was that because "late spring" was neither in italics nor capialized (as other film titles) this was a reference to the time of year when we could expect the next Ozu titles.

[zedz]

As it was a teaser in a cartoon, I don't think we can read too much into that: even if they're only referring to the single film, it's clearly meant to be ambiguous. The choice of words, which happens to be the title of a key Ozu film we know they're working on, strongly suggests that whatever they're planning will include Late Spring. Criterion aren't stupid enough to alienate their customers by seeming to promise a specific title that they know they're not going to deliver. (It would be like having "Mirror, mirror, on the wall / Which Tarkovsky film are we releasing this fall?" as an announcement for Roadroller and Violin)

I'm optimistic that the deliberate ambiguity in the announcement means that they're delivering Late Spring in late spring (which is the most natural implication of the announcement) and some other Ozu besides. We shouldn't have to wait too long to find out. Whatever, it's great news.