I Graduated, But...

It is important for potential viewers to understand that Ozu's early effort, "I Graduated, But..." is a lost film; only fragments of its original seventy minutes are available for viewing, and therefore the pacing is quite poor and it definitely feels like there is a huge chunk missing to the simplistic story Ozu tells. What is left of the film is, to say the least, quite fascinating, allowing audience members to have a glimpse at a cinematic master's first years of filmmaking. Ozu adjusts himself to the art form he would soon change forever in a way that is as charming and wholesome as one could hope for. There are some very funny moments in the film's twelve remaining minutes, but it isn't nearly as humorous as it was in its original form, drying this intended comedy of its seeming purpose; to provoke laughter. However, this is not the film's fault, for this great cinematic loss was only a fact of chance.