In post-war Japan, an elderly widow, Shuhei, attempts to arrange a marriage for his daughter, Michiko. Michiko insists on being single, but Shuhei believes he is holding her back, and if she doesn't get married now, she never will. With the help of his two ageing friends, he tries to find a suitable husband.
Ozu is often known as the second best Japanese director, directing 50 films over his career (many of them lost). I have seen 14 of them, and they are all masterpieces. My personal favourites are the devastating 'Tokyo Twilight' and the under-appreciated 'The Only Son', but I have enjoyed every single one of them. 'An Autumn Afternoon' is his final film before he died of cancer on his 60th birthday in 1963.
Throughout his career, he has perfected his unique and unconventional style. This includes filming the characters straight on, keeping the camera close to the floor and keeping the camera stationary. The camera is often placed in unusual places, such as behind the protagonists. Important scenes (like the marriage) are skipped in favour of the melodrama and family interactions, and scenes are linked together by stationary shots of insignificant objects/places (most famous is Ozu's infamous teapot). All of this may sound unusual, but it perfectly fits with Ozu's story and themes. There is nothing like viewing an Ozu film so, if you haven't already, I recommend you do so straight away.
All of Ozu's films with seasons in the title ('The End of Summer', 'Late Autumn') are similar thematically and stylistically. This film deals with family, friendship and old age, common themes throughout his filmography. Having to say goodbye to the Michiko, the daughter Shuhei has lived with since her birth, is something every ageing parent dreads and is the basis for the storyline. It's not life or death, as Shuhei still has a son to care for him, but the pain of loosing her is overwhelming. Ozu specializes in family dilemmas, combining the subtle comedy of everyday life, and the emotional farewells which occur with age.
Chrishu Ryu plays the lead of Shuhei, and has a fantastic screen presence. In Ozu films he always played characters much older than him (he was only 58 when making this film), despite him being the typical characteristic of a Japanese elder. He plays the role effortlessly and excellently.
Japan's loss of the Second World War is present in the film and even though it happened 20 years prior, still has an everyday impact on society. 'An Autumn Afternoon' is the result of 3 1/2 decades of Ozu's experimenting and perfecting, and is a great film to conclude the filmography of one of cinema's greatest directors.
TO CONCLUDE
Typical Ozu excellence. Everything from the use of colour to the the unconventional cinematography are perfection, but its the emotional story, wonderful acting and the joyful soundtrack which excel the film to one of his best works.
SCORE
83
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