Yasujiro Ozu: Three Melodramas

Yasujiro Ozu: Three Melodramas

Early Spring (1956), Tokyo Twilight (1957) and Woman of Tokyo (1933)

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: Two classics and one early curiosity from the Japanese master of quiet desperation Yasujiro Ozu, well restored by the BFI. A must for Ozu fans.

---

"How did she become like that? What can I do?" Yasujiro Ozu's regular actor of choice Chishu Ryu plays the quiet-mannered father who asks this to himself in front of one daughter, referring to the other has strayed from good in 1957's 'Tokyo Twilight'.

Muted desperation in normal characters is the hallmark of a good Ozu picture. As is family. In 'Tokyo Twilight', the long lost mother figure abandoned them all and will do further damage on her reappearance just as the fractured family struggles with the day-to-day.

Another film in BFI's triple set, 'Early Spring' deals with family tragedy and temptations to stray away from the fold. Solidarity seems forever tested as if the foundations of family life are mere veils.

The other film (1933's 'Woman of Tokyo') is an early example of Ozu developing his themes and calm style. It's also his first social issue film, signalling a wise move away from his earlier work in comedy. Ropier, it examines a sister and brother's dependant ties that are stretched when he learns of her working at a seedy cabaret bar to fund his studies.

Plotwise, it all sounds like a soap opera and in a way it is but it's of the very highest quality. The way the actors deliver the simple, believable lines (like the one that opens this review) is endearing and deeply personal. You have to invest a part of yourself in an Ozu film in order to be washed into - instead of away from - its slow pace and lack of action. This two-disc, three-film set from the BFI isn't the best place to begin (try their sublime 'Tokyo Story' Blu-ray) but it's a must for the fans.

Here's what you can expect in this set:

Three Melodramas by Yasujiro Ozu, released on 18 June, is the latest addition to the BFI’s DVD strand The Ozu Collection. Melodrama is a word rarely associated with the work of the master Japanese director, whose beautifully constructed films capture the poetry of everyday life. Spanning his career, these three films, Early Spring (1956), Tokyo Twilight (1957) and the rare silent Woman of Tokyo (1933), demonstrate the director’s ability to apply his exquisite style to darker themes.
 
Disc One:
Woman of Tokyo (Tokyo no onna)
Ozu’s silent Woman of Tokyo sees the director experimenting with the cutaways that were to become so associated with his later style. Chikako (Yoshiko Okada) works hard to pay for her brother Ryoichi’s (Ureo Egawa) college fees. When Ryoichi learns the true nature of this work disaster ensues.  This tragic tale of misunderstood sacrifice features a new score by Ed Hughes.

Early Spring (Soshun)
Made just after his celebrated Tokyo Story, Ozu’s Early Spring tackles the problems of young salaried workers. Shoji (Ryu Ikebe) and his wife Masako, played by the multitalented Chikage Awashima (Late Spring), struggle to come to terms with a family tragedy. When the office flirt ‘Goldfish’ (Keiko Kishi) starts to interest Shoji, the couple’s fragile peace is severely threatened.
 
Japan / 1933 + 1957 / black and white / silent with optional score, Japanese intertitles and audio with English subtitles; Japanese, English subtitles / DVD 9 / 45 mins + 139 mins / Dolby digital 320kbps / Original aspect ratio 1.33:1
 
Disc  Two:
Tokyo Twilight (Tokyo Boshoku)
Abandoned by their mother when they were young, sisters Akiko (Ineko Arima) and Takako (Setsuko Hara) live with their father Shukichi (played by Ozu’s favourite actor Chishu Ryu). Each nurses her own personal sorrow but when Akiko falls into desperate trouble she turns away from her family. Ozu’s last film in black and white, Tokyo Twilight is a masterpiece of atmospheric chiaroscuro.
 
Japan / 1957 / black and white / Japanese, English subtitles / DVD 9 / 135 mins / Dolby digital 224kbps  / Original aspect ratio 1.33:1

Other film news

Cannes Film Festival rocked by $1m jewellery heist

The stars were shining a little dimmer at this year's Cannes Film Festival after a massive jewellery theft robbed the celebs of their jewels.

Pinewood Studios expansion plan axed by local council

Britain's premiere film lot Pinewood Studios, the home to James Bond and Harry Potter, has lost a £200m planning permission bid for a Hollywood-style expansion across 100 acres of green belt land.

'Avengers' stars Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson reassemble for 'Iron Man' director Jon Favreau's indie comedy

The last time Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson appeared in a film together it was a massive studio production that went on to break box office records. Now the 'Avengers Assemble' stars are reteaming for an independent feature.

Angelina Jolie undergoes double mastectomy after cancer tests

Oscar winning actress Angelina Jolie has undergone a double mastectomy after genetic tests revealed that she held a high risk of developing breast cancer.

Comedian Harry Hill's debut film starts shooting, casts Matt Lucas as his twin

'TV Burp' star Harry Hill's film debut has started shooting with himself in the lead and Matt Lucas as his twin brother alongside Sheridan Smith, 'Inbetweeners' star Simon Bird and Oscar winners Jim Broadbent and veteran actress Julie Walters.

Universal pushes back 'Jurassic Park 4'

'Jurassic Park 4' was due to begin production on June 24th for a release date almost exactly a year later, but studio Universal has pushed it back.

Tributes pour in for Ray Harryhausen, special effects pioneer, dead at 92

When it comes to optical effects in the movies, few have had a career as iconic as Ray Harryhausen, the special effects pioneer who recently died at 92.

Sequels news: 'Men in Black 4' and 'Mission Impossible 5' get the go-ahead

The bank holiday weekend saw not one but two tentpole franchises get the sequel green lights from their studios: 'Men in Black 4' and 'Mission Impossible 5' are on the cards at Sony and Paramount.

'Frasier' star Kelsey Grammer revealed as 'Transformers 4' villain

In somewhat unexpected casting news, TV star Kelsey Grammer (best known as classy radio psychologist Dr Frasier Crane from 'Frasier' and 'Cheers'), has been cast as the lead villain in 'Transformers 4'.

Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender team up for 'MacBeth' film adaptation

First came the news that Michael Fassbender was onboard, and now it's been confirmed that Oscar winner Natalie Portman will be joining him for a new film version of 'MacBeth'.

'Iron Man 3' opening weekend beats 'Avengers Assemble' takings

Marvel/Disney knew they were on to a winner with the third film in the 'Iron Man' franchise but the Robert Downey Jr headliner has exceeded numerous box office estimates by beating 'Avengers Assemble' in its opening weekend figures.

Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt eyed for 'Guys and Dolls' remake

20th Century Fox has finally secured the film rights to the Frank Loesser musical 'Guys and Dolls' after years in legal hell, and now the studio are hoping to bag Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt for the lead roles.

Fox greenlights 'Dodgeball 2' with Ben Stiller onboard

Cult sports comedy 'Dodgeball' is getting the sequel treatment, with original star Ben Stiller's production company onboard alongside distributor 20th Century Fox.

"Deeply embarrassed" Reese Witherspoon and husband Jim Toth jailed for DUI and disorderly conduct

Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth were arrested and jailed in the early hours of Friday morning, it was confirmed recently.

Cannes 2013 line-up announced

The official list of nominations for the 2013 Cannes Film Festival have been revealed with a complete lack of British filmmakers/films in the running for the major awards of The Grand Prize and Un Certain Regard honours.

Disney to release a new 'Star Wars' every year

When Disney attended CinemaCon, the news that all the fans and industry types wanted to know about was what was happening with their newly acquired LucasFilm properties - namely the 'Star Wars' franchise.

Stephen King unhappy with 'The Shining' film prequel

Bestselling author Stephen King has stated that he’d be "happy" if Warner's planned film prequel to his 1977 horror novel 'The Shining' "didn’t happen".

'Avengers Assemble' dominates the 2013 MTV Movie Awards

Check out the full list of winners from the 2013 MTV Movie Awards here:

Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey cast in Christopher Nolan's 'Interstellar'

Christopher Nolan's latest film 'Interstellar' has already confirmed that Matthew McCOnaughey will take the male lead and now it looks like 'The Dark Knight Rises' actress Anne Hathaway will reunite with Nolan as well.

Bradley Cooper saddles up for western 'Jane Got a Gun'

In what must be one of the most troubled productions in recent years, 'Jane Got A Gun' has a new villain at the last minute in the form of Bradley Cooper after both director Lynne Ramsay and Jude Law jumped ship one day into filming.