Late Spring

Japan   Setsuko Hara, Chishu Ryu  d/ Y. Ozu

The master at the peak of his powers. His two favorite players create an air of troubled domesticity; she is getting on, he is a widower...he knows she must marry and leave him, she wants to stay.

Simple story done with his trademark care and a deep insight into human behavior. Including ours. He withholds a key fact from everyone until the penultimate scene. We watch his sadness at the end with the knowledge of the sacrifice he has made for her. It is understated but one of the most poignant moments in Japanese cinema.

She has an unusual look for a Japanese...broad shoulders, large head, very expressive face. When she smiles there is always a hint of sadness in her eyes which gives us a peek at the depth within.

This is one of world cinema's great classics. I first saw it forty-four years ago...loved it then and loved it now.

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