I didn't get the appeal of this movie. I'd mostly call it a slice of life and not a particularly interesting one. To a westerner, it's certainly interesting to see a Japanese family from 1960 and to a modern person it's interesting to hear about divorce leading to zero contact if you don't get custody (note: that's was still common up to 2022 in Japan, not sure it was uncommon in other parts of the world in 1960 though)
In any case. A big family, Mom, Dad, 4 daughters, 1 daughter in law, 1 grandson, 1 son, and 1 from a previous marriage, all go through different issues. One is super independent and never had a relationship but finally falls for someone. Another has to choose between 2 suiters. One is struggling with a ramen shop. Another is out of a job, not sure what to do and hoping the family will help.
The ending and what each of them do is not really resolved ... the end
There's no words of wisdom, no real messages except maybe life is messy and people do the best they can.
So, I didn't hate it and as someone that speaks Japanese and lived in Japan for 15 years I found parts of it interesting but overall I didn't get why it's rated 7.6. It seemed kind of forgettable.
If you want old Japanese movies that will stay with you see Ikiru, Woman in the Dunes, Tokyo Story. That last one, Tokyo Story, is similar to this one, just a family. But, at least the message will never leave you unlike here where there is no message.
