Seeing Ozu's Good Morning as a talky color remake of I Was Born, But... is perhaps overstating the connections between the two films. Yes, it's about kids getting into mischief, but not the same mischief, not with the same parents, and definitely not in the same era. Much of their insolence comes from their wanting a television set, which their parents are against! But the way they intersect with the rest of the neighborhood, affording us the chance to follow a NUMBER of little stories - the case of the missing dues, the timid courtship, the retired man looking for new employment, and the most elaborate fart joke in cinema history - is what makes this world so lived-in and warm. It strikes me that Ozu's low camera placement and characters speaking toward camera are powerful tools for immersion. We live with these characters, they become our own neighbors and family members for a while. Ozu's titles are often elliptical, referencing some time of day or year, but in this case, it's a greeting that holds much meaning. The theme is communication, what words matter, where politeness fits in, and how one can say everything by saying nothing, or say everything and not be heard. How misunderstandings are born, and how people can just inately understand each other too.
Imagine if some crazy '50s producer had decided to make a "Leave It To Beaver" feature film ... only he hired Yasujiro Ozu to direct ... and insisted the film include both a commentary on television and a running fart joke ... and it WORKED! Ozu's taste for gentle family drama and "tatami mat" shooting angles give it a child's-eye view that perfectly matches the story, Minoru and Isamu are kid-level irresponsible without being brats (consistently adorable) and Ozu's muse Chishu Ryu is tone-perfect as usual as the gruff put-upon father. My new favorite from the master. 9/10
In 1959 Yasujirô Ozu made a fair statement against television, even before it reached the masses. Great movie! I think all fart jokes and some other points were a deliberate action in making it look like a B-trash TV movie..
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Siskoid
Seeing Ozu's Good Morning as a talky color remake of I Was Born, But... is perhaps overstating the connections between the two films. Yes, it's about kids getting into mischief, but not the same mischief, not with the same parents, and definitely not in the same era. Much of their insolence comes from their wanting a television set, which their parents are against! But the way they intersect with the rest of the neighborhood, affording us the chance to follow a NUMBER of little stories - the case of the missing dues, the timid courtship, the retired man looking for new employment, and the most elaborate fart joke in cinema history - is what makes this world so lived-in and warm. It strikes me that Ozu's low camera placement and characters speaking toward camera are powerful tools for immersion. We live with these characters, they become our own neighbors and family members for a while. Ozu's titles are often elliptical, referencing some time of day or year, but in this case, it's a greeting that holds much meaning. The theme is communication, what words matter, where politeness fits in, and how one can say everything by saying nothing, or say everything and not be heard. How misunderstandings are born, and how people can just inately understand each other too.Ray Anselmo
Imagine if some crazy '50s producer had decided to make a "Leave It To Beaver" feature film ... only he hired Yasujiro Ozu to direct ... and insisted the film include both a commentary on television and a running fart joke ... and it WORKED! Ozu's taste for gentle family drama and "tatami mat" shooting angles give it a child's-eye view that perfectly matches the story, Minoru and Isamu are kid-level irresponsible without being brats (consistently adorable) and Ozu's muse Chishu Ryu is tone-perfect as usual as the gruff put-upon father. My new favorite from the master. 9/10Crit93
The film is a warm hug :)Jook
I love youPaulorsadv
Amazing Little Boy.MKej
A delightBarryAllen
One of just the cutest films I've seen - with a great social commentary to boot! Such a delight.Louis Mazzini
Wonderful, unique comedy. One of Ozu's best movies.dombrewer
Who would have thought the most fart gags in film history would be in an Ozu film? :)criscoJovan
Charming. The tale of the chatty mothers and the gassy children.Rejoice! The TV set is here!
Dieguito
In 1959 Yasujirô Ozu made a fair statement against television, even before it reached the masses. Great movie! I think all fart jokes and some other points were a deliberate action in making it look like a B-trash TV movie..