Meshi

As a portrait of marriage, impressively true to life. The recurring theme of economic hardship is also appreciated although I wonder if its importance to the story is perhaps a bit too understated. The only flaw is that the turn leading to resolution just seems too easy, and the tone, while maintaining a touch of ambiguity, was not very satisfying to me.

Although it ends on a note that appears upbeat, there is a bittersweet uncertainty to it; as always, Setsuko Hara conveys volumes with her strained smile. I really enjoyed Hara's voice-over narration, a technique that I often find problematic. The one thing that stood out for me was the way characters were constantly discussing matters of finance, as if the modern problem of unemployment was stifling true intimacy. This was more considerably more interesting than the domestic drama aspects.

Fairly bitter sweet domestic situation. The females, and mainly Setsuko Hara give this life. It relies on their expression and they're clear and relatable. Not one that pours on with melodrama, and perhaps it's reluctance to got too deep is why it didn't grow stronger on me. For it was really likable. Just lacking that extra edge to it.

Pacing issues arise in the last half. Such a beautiful note to end on - I'm smitten with the final 5ish minutes.

One of the weaker Naruse’s I’ve seen, but still decent

Semana em honra do centenário de Setsuko Hara filme #6. Num primeiro momento eu estava colocando esse filme como uma das grandes obras sobre casamento já filmadas (as quais incluo Viagem à Itália, De Olhos bem Fechados e Two for the Road), mas o final é tão domesticado, tão lambe bolas do patriarcado, tão submisso à mulher como escrava do marido, que as originais 5 estrelas que eu daria viraram 4 porque o filme seria mesmo brilhante se não fosse pelos 5 minutos finais. WEBRip MKO

Would qualify as great if it weren't to me the sometimes a bit too overbearing score and odd moments of comic relief which doesn't do much for me. It has everything else going for it though and Setsuko Hara is always a charm.