"It is certain that neither men nor women are clearly defined personalities but rather vibrations, flows, schizzes and ‘knots.’” —Gilles Deleuze & Félix Guattari, Anti-Oedipus
Holding the distinction of being the first Japanese film to play in New York, this subtle drama is one of Naruse's most successful early works and was voted Best Film of the year by Kinema Junpo magazine. A daughter travels from Tokyo to a village in the mountains to see her estranged father and to meet his new family. She tries to persuade him to return to her mother but comes to realise that this won't be easy.....
That's not quite true about it being the first Japanese film to be shown in NY. Kinugasa's Crossroads played here a a few years earlier (in '32, I believe) under a vastly different title, not unlike Wife! Be Like a Rose!, which was marketed under "Kimiko", the name of its protagonist.
Heart Breaking, yet liberating. A perfect melodrama and one of Naruse's earlier masterpieces.
Watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/user/magyarvid#p/p/C0C2D20E5B7CE877/0/NRtmrORbLU4
Damn insomnia, I can't sleep! I think I'll write a screenplay for this film's sequel and title it, "Wife! Bring Me a Beer!"