Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by JefferyK (A) on February 18, 2004 at 16:38:00

In Reply to: Re: I was a little disappointed with... posted by Victor Khomenko on February 18, 2004 at 16:16:47:

Well, have you seen any of Ozu's movies? They have a very unique pacing. Some people---such as myself---find it captivating. Some people find it boring as heck.

"Good Morning" is a comedy set in a Japanese suburb. Two young brothers want a TV, their parents refuse to buy one. The boys throw a tantrum, their parents tell them to shut up. So, the boys stop talking. Meanwhile, there's a lot of gossip going on among the neighborhood housewifes and a little romance thrown in. It's all very Ozu: extended families, modernization, social conventions (in this film, small talk in particular, hence the title), daily routine. Beautifully composed and photographed, and in color (Ozu made only a few color films before he died).

Criterion has also released "Tokyo Story," a much better known Ozu film, on DVD. It's a bit pricey, but it includes a bonus disc with a very good Ozu documentary done for Japanese TV (and a not-very-good shorter one). Personally, as much as I like "Good Morning" I'd recommend starting with "Tokyo Story" if you're new to Ozu.

Jeffery