Equinox Flower

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Equinox Flower

Released Sep 7, 1958

2h 0m

Comedy

Drama

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89%

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9 Reviews

87%

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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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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

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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

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

This is warm, amusing, and socially insightful commentary from Japan’s best-ever filmmaker.

Rated: 8/10

Feb 17, 2025

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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

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

No quote available.

Jul 16, 2010

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Don Willmott

Filmcritic.com

it tells truths but lacks the typical Ozu impact.

Rated: 1/5

Jun 14, 2007

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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

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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

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Audience Member

A pleasant diversion, as far as Yasujiro Ozu films go.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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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

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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

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Audience Member

When fans saw Ozu's first film in color, they must have been blown away. Watching the movie was like going through a Japanese art gallery. But instead of just looking at the art, I was able to jump into each painting and experience the beauty of Japan. The story still works in the present day. Im not a parent, but if I become one, I am sure I will be protective of my children.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Yasujirô Ozu

Director

Shin Saburi

Wataru Hirayama

Chishu Ryu

Shukichi Mikami

Teiji Takahashi

Shotaru Kondo

Kinuyo Tanaka

Kiyoko Hirayama

Fumio Watanabe

Ichiro Nagamura

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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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