Audience Member
Yeah, that's right. I watched a film called Ornamental Hairpin. This makes me much more of a man than YOU. I'm willing to admit to watching a film about a guy who steps on a hairpin in a pool and has a 'poetic impression' of the girl whose hairpin it might very well be. She better be hot! I don't want no Nottie. No sir.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/18/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Beautiful Hiroshi Shimizu wartime effort, with the great Chishu Ryu as a soldier on leave at a health spa, recovering from an accidental foot injury and exploring the true meaning of love and poetry through an infatuation with a depressed geisha. The war never touches this idyllic slice of countryside, and Shimizu was criticized for making a light romance in a time of desperately needed propaganda and enthusiasm, but be that as it may, audiences went.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/01/23
Full Review
Audience Member
A soldier staying at an inn during the summer injures his foot on a kanzashi, and is unable to go back with his troop. When the woman who lost it comes back to the inn to apologize to the soldier, and also decides to stay to help him rehabilitate.
What sounds so simple is just filled with amazing little quirks that Shimizu loves to employ. Besides the main characters, the 2 kids with their snoring grandfather, the married couple with the inept husband, the professor who is cranky all become like a small family throughout. There's comedy, drama, tragedy, and it really is one of the best Japanese films I've ever seen. If only Shimizu's other films get the recognition they deserve too....
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/18/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Like The Masseurs and a Woman, this one takes place at a resort spa (maybe even the same location) and is something of a romantic comedy, despite being not especially romantic and only slightly comic. It's another piece that feels light and leisurely but has an underlying sadness. What was most striking to me was how everyone is constantly frustrated in their personal desires by social obligations. The professor wants to read his books, but "grandfather" keep insisting they play Go. The young husband has a tendency to defer to his wife, but stifles it and apologizes because the professor disapproves. No one can sleep because the professor and the old man snore. The professor constantly and unfairly complains about the service, yet no one calls him on it out of politeness. Emi has to ask her friend for permission to cry. And of course, Emi and Mr. Nammura are unable to express their desires for each other. There's a distinct divide between the way things people wish they were and the harsh realities of getting by in the world. It's also a very lovely film with beautiful nature scenes, and I can't help thinking about what Shimizu would have done in the era of color photography.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/17/23
Full Review
Audience Member
the first of shimizu's films that i have seen was a pleasant surprise. an early film for chishu ryu, the film was simple but charming and had some thoughtful things to say about living a life worth meaning and the value of friendship. this film gives me great excitement to pursue more of shimizu's films.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/12/23
Full Review
Audience Member
this is my first hiroshi shimizu film and it certainly wont be my last. the style of shimizu is initially comparable to ozu but his camera work is more dynamic much like a young mizoguchi. the film itself was an entertaining and quick little slice of life film with some solid performances. it was great to see ozu regular chishu ryu in his "younger" days. thanks eclipse for releasing these films
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/27/23
Full Review
Read all reviews
>
