Reviews written by Martin Perea
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Tokyo Twilight (Hong Kong Version)
Tokyo Twilight (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
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August 25, 2005 A masterpiece lost in a sea of greatness...I wish I could say this is my favorite Ozu film, but I think "Early Summer", "Tokyo Story", and the silent "Story of Floating Weeds" reign supreme, and most people would agree. This film is not even essential to understanding Ozu's ouvre. It is, rather, part of a ripple that occurred in the mid-50's following his two year break from directing after the success of "Tokyo Story". In 1955 Ozu returned with "Early Spring", a story that brings to the surface the darker undertones and commentary about modernizing Japan that remained subtextual in "Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice" and "Tokyo Story". "Tokyo Twilight" is not even the harshest Ozu film -- that would be the misogynist and over-the-top "Hen in the Wind". Ozu is not concerned with societal changes in this film, he very subtly critiques the Japanese family and its traditions. Chishu Ryu plays a father whose passive-aggressive martyrdom (his wife left him and their daughters during the war) masks an extremely cold and distant nature. Setsuko Hara, as the eldest daughter, uncharacteristically plays an unforgiving and domineering daughter/sister. This was Ozu's last black-and-white film and contains perhaps the most gorgeous cinematography in his body of work. Much of it takes place at night or in the cold. You can feel the literal and emotional coldness in the scenes at the family's home. The DVD captures the photography beautifully. There are many plot elements that make me wonder if Ozu wrote the script after seeing Elia Kazan's "East of Eden", starring James Dean. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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