Thoughts on Good Morning (Yasujiro Ozu)

I saw this 1959 Ozu film yesterday. Critics often reference it as a remake of Ozu's 1932 silent masterpiece, I Was Born But..., and while I do not think it is as good as the older film, it holds its own quite well. In so far as similarites go, both movies concern young children who rebel against their parents for one reason or another: in I Was Born, But..., a father's obsequious behaviour provokes a hunger strike, while in Good Morning, two boys take a vow of silence after their parents refuse to buy them that most beloved of household appliances: the television set.

It is probably the most light-hearted Ozu film I have yet seen. I Was Born, But..., despite its inspired scenes of slapstick comedy, has moments of the quietly intense drama that would prove an Ozu trademark in later years. Good Morning, however, is Ozu making a film almost completely from the child's perspective. I mean, who would've thought that Ozu-san, of all people, would ever include fart jokes in a movie? Yet it is not all flatulence: the scenes of childhood rebellion, high-jinks and camaraderie ring absolutely true. The adults themselves - the gossipy housewives and frazzled salarymen - though not the focus of the film, have their moments as well. Ozu regular Chishu Ryu turns in an excellent performance as the the obstinate dad and Eiko Miyoshi is hilarious as the neighbour grandmother with a knack for warding off shifty peddlers.

What we have in the end is a humourous commentary on both the mounting consumerism of late 1950s Japanese society and problems of communication between the generations and sexes.

Sadly, the Criterion DVD is atrocious. No extras, liner notes that say nothing, and worst of all, an awful transfer - I could've sworn I saw the colours fluctuate from time to time. This is especially noticeable at the beginning, when the colour of the burlap against which the credits appear subtly wobbles from brown to yellow. Thankfully, Criterion made up with their following Ozu releases. All 3 of them. It's about time they released some more - chop, chop!