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Record of a Tenement Gentleman

Play trailer Poster for Record of a Tenement Gentleman Released May 20, 1947 1h 12m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 94% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A widow (Choko Iida) in postwar Japan begrudgingly adopts an abandoned boy (Hohi Aoki) whom she grows to love.

Critics Reviews

View All (13) Critics Reviews
Tim Purtell Entertainment Weekly [The film] may be slow-moving by Hollywood standards, but Record of a Tenement Gentleman rewards patience with rich sentiment that's never mawkish. Rated: B Mar 4, 2013 Full Review Tom Charity Time Out This is Ozu in optimistic mood, which is not to say that loss and resignation don't figure in large part (no film-maker ever had a surer grasp of the melancholy of everyday things), just that here the generosity of spirit seems irresistible. Feb 9, 2006 Full Review Joan Mellen New York Times Curtain after curtain is lifted as this formidable film exposes a Japan unknown to most. May 21, 2005 Full Review Randy Meeks Espinof The portrait of a person who, when they least expected it, was happy during a small space in time. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 4/5 Dec 19, 2023 Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television Gently moving account of a lost little boy and the people he meets shows Ozu's visual creativity. Dec 3, 2016 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times Cleverly using camera angles to create a sense of place and parallel motifs to unify the action, Ozu reveals his directorial genius, which is confirmed by his light handling of his splendid ensemble cast. Rated: 4/5 Aug 12, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (24) audience reviews
Mikey H The fact that I consider this film "average Ozu" is just a testament to his greatness. Incredible piece of film. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 08/12/23 Full Review Shadowivy H An extraordinary family film. Heartfelt as well as entertaining from beginning to end. The dialogue was quirky and funny with many memorable moments . The parent and child dynamic grows as the story progresses into more than a simple foundling and foster mother relationship. A lonely widow who appears to be content leading an independent life learns the value of sharing her sorrows and joys with a lost boy. I especially loved how their bond developed over time. Weather you prefer comedy or drama this movie provides a little of everything all rolled into one. A true masterpiece must see . Rated 5 out of 5 stars 04/19/23 Full Review william d An absolutely charming film. Choko Iida is terrific, she made me chuckle throughout the movie. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member An elegant little drama told with a precise comedic voice, this is just another example of Ozu's propensity for wonderfully small films about the Japanese experience. The stillness of each perfectly composed frame makes you marvel at each shots simple beauty. But even with its seemingly cold feel, it has a ton of human warmth, studying how love can grow in the most unlikely of places and ways, all the while avoiding cloy. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review s r A simple and touching drama about caring for the orphaned. Great music and cinematography. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Beautiful comic drama from a director who could little wrong. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Record of a Tenement Gentleman

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis A widow (Choko Iida) in postwar Japan begrudgingly adopts an abandoned boy (Hohi Aoki) whom she grows to love.
Director
Yasujirô Ozu
Screenwriter
Yasujirô Ozu, Tadao Ikeda
Distributor
New Yorker Films
Production Co
Shochiku Films
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
Japanese
Release Date (Theaters)
May 20, 1947, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Jan 1, 1977
Runtime
1h 12m
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.37:1)