TOKYO TWILIGHT (1957)

東京暮色  

dir: Yasujiro Ozu

Shochiku (Eiga Studio)

April 30, 1957

140 minutes Black & White

Setsuko Hara as Takako Numata

Ineko Arima as Akiko Sugiyama

Chishu Ryu as Shikichi Sugiyama
Isuzu Yamada as Kisako Aijima
Teiji Takahashi as Noboru Kawaguchi

A drama about a Japanese family, but centered on the youngest sister, the 20-ish Akiko (Ineko Arima). The movie is staged like being an invisible guest in the room - we see the trivial everyday goings on of the characters, and hear their conversations, and slowly begin to see some of the cracks in the relationships, before slowly learning all of the secrets hidden within. 

At 2 hours and 20 minutes, it doesn’t give us anything resembling an American movie JOLT, but rather, very steady in it’s execution, delivers a story that reveals it’s details naturally. Even it’s climax is understated - this isn’t about shock for shock’s sake, but rather about how a Japanese family in the late 1950’s, would deal with it’s issues in modern times.

I’m no expert on Japanese life, but I found the film to be extremely enjoyable - I’m fascinated by late 50’s through early 70’s Japan - and this is an amazing slice of life view from that period and a quality drama that transcends culture.