Tokyo Story (1953)

This is my first Ozu, and I have to say I'm a bit surprised. I know that Ozu's known for a minimalistic style, but that doesn't seem to be the right word for the filmmaking on display here. Rather, I think I'd use the word "rudimentary." There are points in the film where he can't even put together a two-shot without it feeling clumsy. Good thing, then, that the story is so strong -- within the interactions between the parents and their overly busy children, there is a beautiful simplicity that smooths out much of the rough filmmaking. It's like a haiku on crumpled, coffee-stained paper: It may not be perfect, but it's still lovely when you read it.

Grade: B