Banshun (1949) Late Spring 

Directed by Yasujiro Ozu

Starring Setsuko Hara, Chishu Ryu

The first of the films that have become known as the Noriko Trilogy is centred on a father, daughter relationship. Noriko is 27, single and more than happy to stay that way preferring to spend her time looking after her widower father. Pressure mounts on her to get married, from her auntie and her friends but her love and care for her father is far more important to her than to get married just because of her age. Its only when her father tells her hes thinking of remarrying that she finally caves in to the pressure, meets an arranged date set up by her auntie and agrees to marriage.

Thats the basic simple plot but there is so much going on throughout the film, so many tiny moments, understated but clearly understood. Noriko for the most part has a smile that at times is very natural but at other times is clearly a mask to cover up her true emotions. Her father who at first appears to depend on her for everything is clearly a clever man who dearly loves his daughter; enough for him to be deceptive to give her the final push she needs to start her own life, even though it means he wont have her company and care anymore.

Central to the film is a long segment that is the pivotal point for Noriko and her relationship with her father, they attend a Noh performance during which Noriko notices her fathers attention being taken with a widow, simple smiles and gestures are enough (on top of her aunties comments) to make her realise that her fathers life wont fall apart if shes not around.

Another point which is a regular feature of Ozus films, the modernisation/westernisation of post-war Japan, at home, Norikos father dresses in traditional robes but when he goes to work in Tokyo, he wears a suit and hat, many of the signs are for American businesses and are in English. Theres a moment when Noriko goes for a bicycle ride with her fathers assistant along a barren coastal road, there in the middle of nowhere is a post with a Drink Coca Cola advert, now of course that would be great product placement but that certainly wasnt Ozus intention.

A great example of Ozus work where the performances are paramount to the storyline.

Interesting point You would think the pressure of getting married by a certain age would be a product of the past but many women in Japan and China are still (usually by their families) expected to follow this centuries old practice or be seen as failures.

Cheers Trev

BBFC rated PG