Another slow-moving Japanese film, not unlike works by Ozu, say, or Teshigahara's Rikyu, or some things by Imamura. It is after all based on a novel by Natsume Soseki, the great Meiji-era author, regarded as one of the founders of modern Japanese literature, and like much else he wrote, it is restrained. Emotional reactions are mostly implied. There is more drama and emotion near the end, but probably not enough to satisfy the average Western viewer.
I don't mean to discourage the open-minded viewer from seeing this film, for it is really quite beautiful and well-executed, and if you can appreciate the drama of two people who feel very deeply for each other but are forbidden by strict social mores from expressing their feelings, you will not be disappointed.
I don't mean to discourage the open-minded viewer from seeing this film, for it is really quite beautiful and well-executed, and if you can appreciate the drama of two people who feel very deeply for each other but are forbidden by strict social mores from expressing their feelings, you will not be disappointed.