Saw this last year for the first time. Knew nothing about it. I completely agree with your take. It instantly became one of my favorite films for the reasons you cited. It communicated such a sense of the universality of human experience. These people could be anyone’s family anywhere. I’ve recommended it to people who love movies.
I have a number of other Ozu films but while I'm in lockdown I think they might be too emotional for me. We're living in a weird liminal way here in Melbourne.
This film is a gift.Ozu is presenting real life, our life, and he is telling us it is ok to be this way, to feel this way because these situations, these feelings are universal: they are natural just as the scenes, the scenarios, the settings depicted. We will all go through this; the film foreshadows for the young, strikes a chord for the experienced.
I recently watched this film. I'm doing a paper for my film history class on Ozu's Noriko Trilogy (Late Spring, Early Summer, Tokyo Story). It hasn't made it onto my favourites list yet, but that may change as I mature in life. But god damn not only is it beautifully shot, it really offered a profound insight on family life and the Japanese family system. It will forever change my perspective on what it means to grow old, to leave your family and start your own, grow old and watch your kids do the same. I think any movie that can change someones perspective in such an impactful way is one of the greats, even if it is boring at times.
My Grandmother who raised me like a son has been sick for a long time and our whole family looks to her for support and just several days ago she became confused and she isn’t herself anymore. This film has been such a comfort to me these past few days in ways I can’t put into words. Powerful film, I wouldn’t hesitate to call one of my favorite films. Thank you for this great video.
Ozu, with his particular style and composition, wanna teach us about the conflict of the generations through the dangerous evolution of the society, about the solitude and the resignation to marriage, about the industry of the city against the quietness of the hometown, about life and death, hope and tragedy. Is not a film to be seen but to be felt, deep down in your guts, mind and heart. That's what this masterpiece of the Ozu's long career and classic of universal cinema is: an experience. (but only a few know this was really a remake of the american film Make Way for Tomorrow).
This movie is essential. Watched for the first time last night as they have a bunch of Criterion films on HBO Max. Going to pick up a copy today! Absolute masterpiece.
Great movie for sure. However the greatest film of all time to me is late spring. It had the same effect on me as Tokyo story had on you. I think about it most days. It devestated me. It's such a simple, beautiful and powerful film. All the films in the noriko trilogy are masterpieces. Great review. I advise you to watch some more Japanese cinema many many more masterpieces to see.
Thanks for a thought-provoking review. As naff as it sounds, I have always thought of this film as “life-affirming.” But now you have me thinking there is as much in the form as the substance. So I really must dust off the Blu-Ray and watch it again.
Yes, Ozu is brilliant and I never tire of revisiting ‘Tokyo Story’. I appreciated your striving to discover other gems that you may not have seen. I’d like to recommend ‘The Son’ (2002) by the Dardenne brothers.
I found this movie almost meditative to watch. It also just invites you into regular Japanese peoples homes, giving you a chance to soak that up as well.
This film just beautiful film. I seen the film few times. I do agree with you Terry. You really engage with the family. And you never expected that Grandmother dies in the middle. And how the family does rally with the father. How much the family has little time for the father father and mother when they were alive. Its snapshot Japan recovery.
I think, in the end, there's no single work we can justifiably call "the greatest", but if pressed to a wall and forced to make a choice then Tokyo Story is a perfectly reasonable choice.
I certainly think that Tokyo Story is one of the greatest movies. I was lucky enough to see it in the cinema quite a number of years ago; (although not as far back as when it was originally released!) I suspect that many people today would be moaning that it's "too slow" and "nothing happens" because, you know, no one gets shot in the first 5 minutes....🙄 I think your review is on the ball, especially with the various family members who you come to identify with. On a seperate note, can I ask please what the music is that plays over the first minute or so of your video?
I get all the music from Epidemic Sound. It's a subscription service but I get the music royalty-free with no chance of getting a copyright problem with it. I do a search for the mood I want and go for it.
Tokyo Story is another on my Cinema List of Shame. I have been meaning to watch it, but still have not. So many movies! Well, I suppose that is a good problem to have. Thanks for a great video and great musings Terry.
Not a great idea to give so many spoilers away. Especially the ending. A film reviewer should refrain from doing that and atempt merely to catch the essence and various themes in a movie. At least have a warning next time! 😀
It was a bit boring and slow paced. Great social commentary and thought provoking but the actual story was a bit meh, 7/10 for me. Worth the watch tho. Maybe I'll change my opinion when I watch it again
![[東京物語] Tokyo Story Analysis - One of The Best Films Ever Made](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Fr7C77hpd8s/mqdefault.jpg)
Saw this last year for the first time. Knew nothing about it. I completely agree with your take. It instantly became one of my favorite films for the reasons you cited. It communicated such a sense of the universality of human experience. These people could be anyone’s family anywhere. I’ve recommended it to people who love movies.
I have a number of other Ozu films but while I'm in lockdown I think they might be too emotional for me. We're living in a weird liminal way here in Melbourne.
This film is a gift.Ozu is presenting real life, our life, and he is telling us it is ok to be this way, to feel this way because these situations, these feelings are universal: they are natural just as the scenes, the scenarios, the settings depicted. We will all go through this; the film foreshadows for the young, strikes a chord for the experienced.
Ozu was a real cinematic revelation for me. Simple set-ups, great story, fantastic actors. It was an epiphany.
Ikiru, Tokyo Story, and It’s a Wonderful Life are the “Being a human being” trilogy.
Cool. I have more Ozu but haven't watched them yet.
Nicely said. I'd add Kieślowski's *Dekalog* also, as a separate edition to your trilogy.
I recently watched this film. I'm doing a paper for my film history class on Ozu's Noriko Trilogy (Late Spring, Early Summer, Tokyo Story). It hasn't made it onto my favourites list yet, but that may change as I mature in life. But god damn not only is it beautifully shot, it really offered a profound insight on family life and the Japanese family system. It will forever change my perspective on what it means to grow old, to leave your family and start your own, grow old and watch your kids do the same. I think any movie that can change someones perspective in such an impactful way is one of the greats, even if it is boring at times.
I never found it boring. The slower points let me have time to process the feelings and events.
Are you kidding? You write a paper about film history and find Tokyo Story boring? I can tell you know nothing about movie, and life.
My Grandmother who raised me like a son has been sick for a long time and our whole family looks to her for support and just several days ago she became confused and she isn’t herself anymore. This film has been such a comfort to me these past few days in ways I can’t put into words. Powerful film, I wouldn’t hesitate to call one of my favorite films. Thank you for this great video.
My pleasure, Jacob. Take care.
Ozu, with his particular style and composition, wanna teach us about the conflict of the generations through the dangerous evolution of the society, about the solitude and the resignation to marriage, about the industry of the city against the quietness of the hometown, about life and death, hope and tragedy.
Is not a film to be seen but to be felt, deep down in your guts, mind and heart. That's what this masterpiece of the Ozu's long career and classic of universal cinema is: an experience.
(but only a few know this was really a remake of the american film Make Way for Tomorrow).
It has a lot of Make Way For Tomorrow but it exceeds that film in so many ways.
Ozu was very in touch with American films, especially gangster movies.
This movie is essential. Watched for the first time last night as they have a bunch of Criterion films on HBO Max. Going to pick up a copy today! Absolute masterpiece.
It is. Ozu was my big discovery of 2020.
I agree with every word you said. Tokyo Story is a miracle of a film that only grows richer with each viewing.
It does. There's cinematic magic going on with Ozu's movies.
You captured the impact of this movie on me . Thankyou.
Thank you. I love the film.
Great movie for sure. However the greatest film of all time to me is late spring. It had the same effect on me as Tokyo story had on you. I think about it most days. It devestated me. It's such a simple, beautiful and powerful film. All the films in the noriko trilogy are masterpieces. Great review. I advise you to watch some more Japanese cinema many many more masterpieces to see.
Thank you. 😀
Great video, Terry!
Thanks for a thought-provoking review. As naff as it sounds, I have always thought of this film as “life-affirming.” But now you have me thinking there is as much in the form as the substance. So I really must dust off the Blu-Ray and watch it again.
Definitely do, Tom and let me know what you think.
Yes, Ozu is brilliant and I never tire of revisiting ‘Tokyo Story’. I appreciated your striving to discover other gems that you may not have seen. I’d like to recommend ‘The Son’ (2002) by the Dardenne brothers.
Thanks for the tip Michael.
Director Richard Linklater would agree that it’s one of the greats. You can see the impact of this movie on all his work, especially Boyhood.
It's so good, I don't want to watch it too often in case it loses its magic.
I found this movie almost meditative to watch. It also just invites you into regular Japanese peoples homes, giving you a chance to soak that up as well.
Truly one of my favourites, @SneakyNinjaDog
This film just beautiful film. I seen the film few times. I do agree with you Terry. You really engage with the family. And you never expected that Grandmother dies in the middle. And how the family does rally with the father. How much the family has little time for the father father and mother when they were alive. Its snapshot Japan recovery.
Yep but that's not the guts of the movie. The way it was told, is.
Absolutely. It has a depth and texture that amazes me.
Aye, you convinced at least one guy here to finally watch this movie. Thank you, Terry.
Hope you loved it.
@@terrytalksmovies Your video made me decide to watch it, but I haven't yet. Sorry if that was unclear. :)
@@Svankmajer hope you enjoy it. 😀
I think, in the end, there's no single work we can justifiably call "the greatest", but if pressed to a wall and forced to make a choice then Tokyo Story is a perfectly reasonable choice.
That's why I qualified it with "at the moment". When I was 12 it was The Valley of Gwangi"...
This is just glorious & it’s beautifully made. A definite must watch.
It is. I'm kicking myself for not seeing it so much earlier.
I certainly think that Tokyo Story is one of the greatest movies. I was lucky enough to see it in the cinema quite a number of years ago; (although not as far back as when it was originally released!) I suspect that many people today would be moaning that it's "too slow" and "nothing happens" because, you know, no one gets shot in the first 5 minutes....🙄
I think your review is on the ball, especially with the various family members who you come to identify with.
On a seperate note, can I ask please what the music is that plays over the first minute or so of your video?
I get all the music from Epidemic Sound. It's a subscription service but I get the music royalty-free with no chance of getting a copyright problem with it. I do a search for the mood I want and go for it.
This one is Gas Mask (Nightbob Remix) by Threeburn
@@terrytalksmovies many thanks! Found it on Soundcloud 👍
My top 3 : Tokyo Story, Idi I Smotri (Come and See), Oasis (2003)
Good choices!
It is !
I think so, too.
I totally agree. Thank you. I thought I was all alone in this.
No, you aren't. :-)
Tokyo Story is another on my Cinema List of Shame. I have been meaning to watch it, but still have not. So many movies! Well, I suppose that is a good problem to have. Thanks for a great video and great musings Terry.
My pleasure, Dave. UA-cam has a reasonable copy of it if you're looking. It's really next level cinema. Thanks for watching.
Terry do I detect a South African accent or am I way off base ?
Australian, mate. But thanks for watching.
@@terrytalksmovies I've heard from many non-Australians over the years that we sound kind of South African from time to time.
Is it considered the greatest movie by Japanese?
You'd have to ask them.
Not a great idea to give so many spoilers away. Especially the ending. A film reviewer should refrain from doing that and atempt merely to catch the essence and various themes in a movie.
At least have a warning next time! 😀
It was a bit boring and slow paced. Great social commentary and thought provoking but the actual story was a bit meh, 7/10 for me. Worth the watch tho. Maybe I'll change my opinion when I watch it again
Any Ozu movie is definitely worth watching.
You should watch again it the best movie ever made