The Munekata Sisters is possibly the most obscure film in writer/director Yasujiro Ozu's postwar filmography. But it doesn't deserve to be, because it's actually a great comedy-drama that should have a wider audience.
The film revolves around the relationship between older sister Setsuko (Kinuyo Tanaka) and her younger sibling Mariko (Hideko Takamine). Setsuko is more reserved and adheres to traditional Japanese values, while Mariko embraces modern trends and enjoys sassing people. Naturally, their personality differences bring them into conflict.
Takamine gives a fantastic and genuinely funny performance as Mariko, which is light-years different from the reserved heroines played by Setsuko Hara in Ozu's more acclaimed films. She does funny voices, sticks out her tongue, and even dismissively flicks a suit of samurai armor. (I assume that's a big no-no in polite society.) Yet underneath all this joking is a sensitive character who loves her older sibling, despite their obvious personality clashes.
By contrast, it's initially easy to overlook Tanaka as Setsuko. But as the film goes on, Setsuko's struggle with a loveless marriage starts to dominate the plot, and her character becomes compelling.
Speaking of the plot, it contains more romantic melodrama and unexpected twists than usual for Ozu - possibly because it's based on a serialized story, rather than an original creation. But Ozu directs it with his usual sensitivity and prevents the material from becoming corny or saccharine. Ozu also makes effective use of his graceful transitional or "pillow" shots in this film, which are even more beautifully composed than usual.
Some viewers (understandably) dislike the film's unusual ending. I won't spoil it here, but suffice to say that I actually liked it, and indeed thought it was the most honest way to resolve the story. Ultimately, this film is about two sisters who are very different people but very committed to each other, and the ending does justice to their relationship and its place in the story.
I was a fan of Ozu for 20 years before I bothered to check this out - because, who ever talks about The Munekata Sisters? (Its lack of U. S. availability didn't help, but it's on the Criterion Channel now.) Imagine my surprise when I discovered that this is a witty, wise movie that rounds out Ozu's filmography quite nicely. It's not an all-time great like Late Spring, sure, but a movie doesn't need to be a legendary classic to be awesome.
