Lovely film
Early Summer review
By
Zamy from London
- 6
- 0
2nd June 2005
I know nothing of Japanese family life in the early 1950's. This film seems to be so full of real people and their everyday concerns that I believed every single frame of it. And very beautifully it is framed too, the camera set only a few feet from the floor, usually with a limited field of vision. Watching, listening, participating in the action. On the rare moments when the camera opens out a vista for us it is precisely chosen by Ozu to give the visual and emotional effect that he wants. Precise and wonderful film-making. This story of the Mariyama family and their efforts to marry off their 28 year old daughter Noriko closely observes the actions and reactions of three generations of the family as they attempt to come to terms with Nariko's choice of husband. There is much more in this film and the plot is almost incidental to the observation of character. Yasogiro Ozu brings great warmth, compassion and irony to his story. As with life the happiness is tinged with sadness and regret. The only other Ozu film that I have seem is 'Tokyo Story' which I also remember as a masterpiece of world cinema. Highly recommended.
