Arigato-san

Depression-era tale that aims for a light touch despite the main plot concerning a mother preparing to sell her daughter into prostitution. Should obviously be part of a double feature with MEXICAN BUS RIDE.

Fun and unique premise. I loved the scenery. Some of the story was too subtle for me to fully comprehend. Would probably enjoy more on a re-watch.

A travelogue treasure trove of rural scenery, featuring a cast of coming-and-going characters in the microcosmic setting of a bus (which actively brings Ford's Stagecoach to mind). It is mostly light and entertaining, but with a socio-minded awareness of lower-class anxiety.

Although primarily a light travelogue comedy, the undercurrent of economic depression constantly lingers, particularly in the form of a teenage girl on her way to be sold into prostitution. The balance of comedy and drama (and a little romance) works pretty well and the film is breezily enjoyable. Not quite as interesting or entertaining as Masseurs and a Woman, but there are moments, and the repeated point-of-view visual motif is unique.

The central story, concerning a girl being sold into prostitution, contrasts sharply with the bright and beautiful scenery, which serves as a backdrop for otherwise low-stakes conflicts between a cast of lovingly rendered characters. Hiroshi Shimizu takes a feather-light approach to the tragedy at the core of this story, and I can't decide if the film would have benefited from a more direct narrative.

An alluring bus trip through rural Japan on the road to Tokyo. We follow a bus driver and his passengers. Most importantly the sad one, a poor 17-year girl who is traveling with her mother to be sold to a brothel. Also a flirty out-spoken girl and a stuck-up hypocrite bring the entertainment for us as spectators. The story is emotionally moving and gives a great insight to the challenging lives of the Japanese people in a world filled with financial struggles and fast modernization.