(1939) The Story OF The Last Chrysanthemums
(In Japanese with English subtitles)
DRAMA
To describe this film, one have to expect something from Yasujirô Ozu's ballpark, since it centers on a young couple's forbidden relationship. And it's a different kind of movie that's not like director, Kenji Mizoguch's "Ugetsu monogatari" or "Sansho The Baliff". But, before I go on, I just want to say that movies about very young innocent relationships starting out are usually met by three obstacles whether it's about real life, like Lady Diana or otherwise. And if you can't adapt then don't watch it since you'll probably never get into it. The obstacles I've been noticing that's most apparent are usually tradition, custom and honor. For instance, in "Sabrina"-it's custom, and on some royal heir movie like "The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg"- it's tradition. Adapted from the novel written by Shôfû Muramatsu centers on a young actor by the name of Kikunosuke Onoue (Shôtarô Hanayagi) falling for the family maid, Otoku (Kakuko Mori) since she was the only one honest with him about his bad acting, in comparison to the people who're around him who are always sucking up to him up, just because he's connected to the family name. And after a close encounter, mom then fires her after a long time of faithful service solely for that reason since people are already talking, with Kikunosuke's dad at the same time forbidding him to ever see Otoku ever again. He, of course rebels, and it was at this point is when his dad kicks him out of the family household while young Kikunosuke strives to become a better actor with Otoku at his side. Anybody who understands theatre in general will probably be much more involved than the viewers sticking to movies, since it also involves a traveling troupe. In comparison to Ozu movies, this movie takes risks by using the centered protagonist by using him to take a step further by rebelling the custom rather than accepting it which doesn't happen in Japanese movies often. 3.
