Nagaya shinshiroku

The formal pieces were locked more firmly in place in this simple story of a relationship between a curmudgeonly widow and a lost boy. Ozu's staging and camera positioning are superior than they were previously in capturing subtle emotional expressions and the body language of his actors. The story itself lacks 'depth', but it's direct and heartfelt, and while the outcome is predictable, the small scenes of the widow and child bonding are warm and never seem blatantly manipulative.

As I mulled it over,I began to see Kohei as a representation of Japan's new role on the world stage -- a poorly raised child with a history of bad behavior suddenly being thrust upon the world, with one adult (country) angrily trying to set him straight,wishing he could just be good on his own. Misunderstood,mistreated&finally ending, still as a child, but with the hope and promise that hard work will eventually bring out his strength and honor. I'd recommend this for Ozu completionists only.

My oh my how simplicity cuts through. Same questions arise when you watch Ozu: Can he do wrong? Doesn't he appear to see things more clearly than anyone? Can there be a more pure form of cinema and drama? And mind you, this is minor Ozu.

Yasujiro Ozu #1

This is a sweet and quite charming movie full of fun and interesting characters. Too bad the kid is relatively unlikable.

I liked the small boy's round face.

A pretty uninteresting story told rather well

Star Rating: ★★★★1/2

89.50

Very touching, very genuine, and funny as well. Chuoko Iida has a great face and gives a winning performance as a cranky widow who reluctantly has motherhood thrust upon her. Except for a brief heavy-handed speech at the end (a call for people to be more kind-hearted with each other) and a child actor who doesn't cry very convincingly, I really enjoyed it.

a pretty insufferable moral tale about not treating children like shit, because otherwise they'll run away and not be obedient little slaves, and we can't have that. too overwhelmingly conservative for me.

Very charming. Reminded me of Chaplin's "The Kid" (except with much MUCH less comedy).

I really enjoyed this one. The morale was a bit heavy handed in the end, and I didn't like the child actor all that much, especially the crying. Makes me want to check out more Japanese cinema though!

Minor Ozu, but it's always nice to see these slight diversions from his usual.

Oh my God, that relationship between those two! Every facial expression, every little gesture. It was so incredibly adorable! This is a example of a small picture delivering in a big way. I'd go as par as say it's my favorite Yasujirô Ozu film so far!

A simple moral tale executed well. The ending is a little heavy-handed, but that's my only real complaint.

Another good one, despite the rather heavy-handed moral at the end of the film. Still, the acting and overall filmmaking more than make up for it. Plus, it's a good message--the kind of things Capra would have approved of. (ps: 72)