Kazoku kaigi

I love Saburi Shin. For me this quiet, low-energy actor was one of Japan's best. Especially in later years, in films like Ozu's "Higanbana" (Equinox Flower, 1958) and Kobayashi's "Kaseki" (The Fossil, 1975) he delivered nuanced performances without the least bit of visible effort. In this film, directed by Shimazu Yasujiro and penned by Ozu-collaborator Ikeda Tadao, a younger Saburi gets a role that fits the actor's persona well.

Saburi plays a successful stockbroker, who has a troubled love-life, that he can't seem to get in order. He is in love with a girl from Osaka, whose father just so happens to be an old enemy of his. This makes it hard for them, since at the time, parental approval was not optional. The stockbroker being young, rich and handsome, there are also other women, either trying to marry him or to set him up with a friend.

The narrative of the film is good, and Shimazu fleshes out the characters nicely. Though the main story is melodramatic, this effect is downplayed by lively supporting characters, especially the women in the film. Saburi is very good in his part, and this was a pleasant watch.