Director Yasujiro Ozu has produced a very concise film in "Record of a Tenement Gentleman". The film time is 72 minutes, there are few characters, most of the action takes place in limited interior space, and the dialogue is sparse through much of the film.
A young abandoned boy is grudgingly housed by an older lady who chafes at the burden. She chastises him and calls him "stupid boy". The child doesn't say much. But eventually--due to the human "need" for interaction and interdependence--she learns to tolerate him.
This Ozu film feels different to me from the other two I have watched. It is the post-war era and Ozu manages to find humor in the quirks of individuals. Many characters are untrusting, but we sense a warmth whenever, in this stark reality, someone extends a hand or shares a moment of closeness.
Eventually, this tale of woman and child becomes a larger story about a nation. And a call for that nation to respond dutifully. The final scene is a little oversentimental, but easy to forgive due to the overall quality of the storytelling.
