Tokyo Story (1953)
This film dives into themes of expectations from ones family through three generations and acceptance of how life goes. It feels like a film that will forever be relevant, and this is a great achievement in itself to create such a timeless piece of film history. I found myself mostly drawn to the daughter in law Noriko and grandfather Shūkichi, as they seemed to have the biggest personal growth in these events.
I do however still struggle with really emotionally connecting with Japanese films, especially older ones as something like Shoplifters is an exception. It is hitting all the right points and I like Ozu’s minimalist styles that focuses more on people than plot. His influence is still visible today. There is nothing wrong with this film. It is my own cultural barrier that makes me connect better with European filmmakers inspired by Ozu than Ozu himself.
Rating: 3.5