Noriko is perfectly happy living at home with her widowed father, Shukichi, and has no plans to marry -- that is, until her aunt Masa convinces Shukichi that unless he marries off his 27-year-old daughter soon, she will likely remain alone for the rest of her life. When Noriko resists Masa's matchmaking, Shukichi is forced to deceive his daughter and sacrifice his own happiness to do what he believes is right.
Direction
Ozu's 'tatami shot' — low, still, devastatingly human.
Acting
Setsuko Hara's smile that doesn't reach her eyes. Iconic.
Writing
Dialogue so polite it wounds. Japanese restraint as weapon.
Director
Yasujirō Ozu
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ozu and co-writer Kogo Noda wrote the screenplay in a single 15-day drinking session at a ryokan.
This launched Ozu's 'Noriko trilogy' and made Setsuko Hara the eternal daughter of Japanese cinema — she never fully escaped the role.
JP
