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Equinox Flower

Play trailer Poster for Equinox Flower Released Sep 7, 1958 2h 0m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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88% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 87% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Loving father Wataru (Shin Saburi) is devastated when his daughter Setsuko (Ineko Arima) upends both familial and social conventions by foregoing arranged marriage and choosing her own spouse. Wataru, who had been scoping out the perfect husband for his daughter, refuses to attend Setsuko's upcoming wedding. It becomes apparent, however, that the ceremony will happen with or without Wataru's approval. So his wife, Kiyoko (Kinuyo Tanaka), tries to ease her husband into accepting the marriage.
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Equinox Flower

Critics Reviews

View All (8) Critics Reviews
Vincent Canby New York Times One of Ozu's least dark comedies, which is not to say that it's carefree, but, rather, that it's gentle and amused in the way that it acknowledges time's passage, the changing of values and the adjustments that must be made between generations. Rated: 5/5 May 9, 2005 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader This 1958 film by Yasujiro Ozu (his first in color) is gentle, spare, and ultimately elusive, in a quietly satisfying way. Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Cheerful but powerful film about a woman who wants to choose her spouse despite family objection. Dec 3, 2016 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid No quote available. Jul 16, 2010 Full Review Don Willmott Filmcritic.com it tells truths but lacks the typical Ozu impact. Rated: 1/5 Jun 14, 2007 Full Review John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews Ozu demonstrates that he can adjust readily with a Technicolor palate to present a warm family drama that moves as steadily as one of his signature trains Rated: B Feb 14, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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S R A moving drama in the usual Ozu fashion. Amazing filming, character and plot development. Ozu gives insight to Japanese culture in a way that is rare. It was on HBO. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/03/23 Full Review Audience Member In conceding that "Equinox Flower" is not one of my favorite works by Ozu, it is a general testament to the director's consistent excellence that I am still compelled to assign the film a well-earned four star rating. Those familiar with Ozu will already know what to expect, yet the knowing will enhance rather than impede the enjoyment. Addressing a father's reluctant concession to his daughter's freedom to select her own spouse, Ozu probes the complex depths of post-war Japan's relationship with the rapidly fading traditions of its proud antiquity. In so doing, it manages to produce a deeply moving statement that somehow feels simultaneously universal and uniquely cultural; wholly inclusive of the full range of human perspectives despite its post-war sociocultural context. Yet again, emotions run deeply beneath a serene veneer, all beautifully enhanced by the lilting melodies of the film-score combined with sublime moments of quietude which prove as revelatory as they are subtle. "Equinox Flower" may not cut as close to the bone as Ozu's best works, yet it is perhaps appropriate to note that cutting close to the bone is an effect that Ozu achieves without necessarily appearing to. View "Equinox Flower" and then meditate on the bittersweet transience of life (mono no aware); you surely won't regret the experience. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/14/23 Full Review william d As usual, this film of Ozu's starts out slow, but once again the payoff is worth it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member A pleasant diversion, as far as Yasujiro Ozu films go. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member good Japanese drama about FAMILY circa 1958 there rl ots of long static shots and i like that the camera is always placed low like we r sitting down viewing the action and interactions this was ''ozu's ''fir.st color film Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member I must admit I was confused in parts of this, I wasn't always sure of whom some of the characters were. Very slow, and wasn't able to hold my interest. None of the characters seemed that interesting. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Equinox Flower

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Loving father Wataru (Shin Saburi) is devastated when his daughter Setsuko (Ineko Arima) upends both familial and social conventions by foregoing arranged marriage and choosing her own spouse. Wataru, who had been scoping out the perfect husband for his daughter, refuses to attend Setsuko's upcoming wedding. It becomes apparent, however, that the ceremony will happen with or without Wataru's approval. So his wife, Kiyoko (Kinuyo Tanaka), tries to ease her husband into accepting the marriage.
Director
Yasujirô Ozu
Screenwriter
Yasujirô Ozu, Kôgo Noda
Production Co
Paul Entertainment
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 7, 1958, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Jun 12, 2007
Runtime
2h 0m
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