The Munekata Sisters

Yasujiro Ozu #3

Libra.

More melodramatic and less stylistically striking compared to other late Ozu-films. But still decent tearjerker.

Breezy and bleak simultaneously. It's an uneasy mix at times, and the style isn't as elegant as it is in other Ozu films, especially Late Spring which it followed, but it has moments of real beauty, and the performances are very good, with Naruse regular Takamine being the standout as a scheming but charming woman. The ending is a moving expression of sisterly love that reaffirms Ozu's status as a superior director of women.

Fantastic characterizations and performances, especially from Takamine, but the film feels a bit too long for what it is.

Two strong women hold this one up! Kinuyo Tanaka is always sturdy, but Hideko Takamine really surprised me how she took to the role. She demanded the attention.