Late Spring (1949)
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Shukichi Somiya
as Noriko
as Masa Taguchi
as Jo Onodera
as Akiko Miwa
as Aya Kitagawa
as Shuichi Hattori
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Critic Reviews for Late Spring
All Critics (24) | Top Critics (5) | Fresh (24) | Rotten (0) | DVD (4)
Each shot in Late Spring is striking on its own; the mature Ozu belongs to that rare category of filmmakers whose work can be recognized from a single frame.
"Movies resurrect the beautiful dead," Susan Sontag once wrote, and there's no better way to commemorate Hara than to watch her in Late Spring, a film in which she is heartbreakingly vibrant.
One of the best two or three films Ozu ever made.
Ozu's characters don't seek ecstasy, not because they are afraid of it but because they are brave enough to accept compromise.
Yasujiro Ozu's 1949 film inaugurated his majestic late period: it's here that he decisively renounces melodrama (and, indeed, most surface action of any kind) and lets his camera settle into the still, long-take contemplation.
Terrifying film about a woman who wants to be single pressured into marriage.
Audience Reviews for Late Spring
Another fantastic example of Ozu's work. As usual, very restrianed and very simple. Ozu examines family relationships and the social beliefs of Japan at the time. The struggles of women and the worries of fathers are all played out. Late Spring focuses on Ryu once again playing a single father, and his daughter Noriko. Many of Ozu's films deal with the effects of a marriage on a family. Here, Noriko does not want to get married. She is content with her life with her father. She enjoys looking after her father and worries about he will be able to cope without her. As it progresses Ryu must make the choice of letting his daughter go. Even if he must trick her to set her free. The great thing about Ozu is that he doesn't tell us what to think, a story is laid out in front of us with each characters emotions open to interpretation. A very moving ending, but one that doesn't try and make us cry. Slow and boring to some, Ozu is a director who has no need to try and impress his audience. Ironically, this is the most impressive thing about him.
Super Reviewer
although ozu typically starts slow, this film begins slower than most of his. however, by the time it picks up, it becomes one of ozu's most emotionally powerful films. in particular japanese fashion noriko's father doesnt display any emotion until completely alone, and then it hits hard, but hara gave a phenomenal and emotionally charged performance. i never get tired of seeing ryu or hara in an ozu film, and ozu's camera shots are typically strong in this film. the bike riding scene, the scene on the road after the play, and the discussion towards the end just before the wedding are all phenomenal, and as is usual for ozu, we get a wonderful portrait of japanese culture and family life.
Super Reviewer
What I liked about this movie, is the gradual attachment that grows between you and the characters. I've got this with all the Ozu's I've seen so far: in the beginning it's very neutral, but when he gets to the core of the relationships, I find it deeply moving. This movie explores the bond between a father and his daughter. It's about making sacrifices, or being prepared to make sacrifices for each other. Not something you see very often anymore in today's society,
Super Reviewer
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