Mikio Naruse, a director virtually ignored in the West until after his death, reached his creative peak in the 1950's and this film is considered by many to be his magnum opus.
His long takes and simple camera positioning have inevitably invited comparisons with Yasujiro Ozu. Although Naruse may not be as 'stylistically pure' as his eminent contemporary, for this viewer at any rate his characters, especially his women, have more freedom of expression which allows for greater interplay.
Here, he and his editor Eiji Ooi have ensured a narrative flow whilst Masao Tamei's cinematography is luminous.
When asked about Naruse's methods of direction, the outstanding Hideko Takamine, who appeared for him seventeen times said: "I never felt I was doing much in his films." Her magnificent performance in this as the luckless Keiko simply affirms that in front of the camera little is good, less is better. She is complemented here, as she was in 'Floating Clouds', by the excellent Masayuki Mori with whom she has 'chemistry' in spades.
Keiko's final close-up after having once more climbed the stairs that ultimately lead nowhere, is one of the most touching on film. One is left wondering what her future will hold which is the measure of a great actress and a great director.
His long takes and simple camera positioning have inevitably invited comparisons with Yasujiro Ozu. Although Naruse may not be as 'stylistically pure' as his eminent contemporary, for this viewer at any rate his characters, especially his women, have more freedom of expression which allows for greater interplay.
Here, he and his editor Eiji Ooi have ensured a narrative flow whilst Masao Tamei's cinematography is luminous.
When asked about Naruse's methods of direction, the outstanding Hideko Takamine, who appeared for him seventeen times said: "I never felt I was doing much in his films." Her magnificent performance in this as the luckless Keiko simply affirms that in front of the camera little is good, less is better. She is complemented here, as she was in 'Floating Clouds', by the excellent Masayuki Mori with whom she has 'chemistry' in spades.
Keiko's final close-up after having once more climbed the stairs that ultimately lead nowhere, is one of the most touching on film. One is left wondering what her future will hold which is the measure of a great actress and a great director.