Good Morning (1959)
It is hard to describe exactly what makes it special, but the first impression from this film is from the colors. It is bright and vibrant like other films from the 50s, but it is somehow different from the usual Hollywood Technicolor look. It looks like a black and white film in color for some reason. This lovely calm look really sets the tone and atmosphere of this sweet and affectionate little drama set in suburb to Tokyo. It transpires to a narrative where a few misunderstanding spiral out of control and cause a lot more drama than they really should. Both between adults and between adults and kids, highlighting that plenty of words can more empty of meaning than non-spoken communication. There is lot of conversations that is basically just small talk without much weight, but Ozu still manages to show where interpersonal miscommunication go wrong. It is an unique little film, that maybe doesn’t seem very dramatic, but I still get a sense of a whole lot going on. There is some conflict, like the kids wanting a TV, but it isn’t really about that either. It’s more about questioning old habits between generations, and about the happiness that comes with Japan’s recent post-war prosperity. Something people still haven’t quite figured out how to handle.
Rating: 4