Floating Weeds (Ukigusa) (1959)
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95% of critics liked it
(20 reviews) -
91% of users liked it
(2,367 ratings)
This 1959 Ozu production centers on the likable but fallible leader of an itinerant acting troupe ("floating weeds" being the Japanese name for such groups), Kimajuro, played brilliantly by Ganjiro Nakamura. The film opens on a lazy, stagnant river as the troupe lays spread about on a boat… More This 1959 Ozu production centers on the likable but fallible leader of an itinerant acting troupe ("floating weeds" being the Japanese name for such groups), Kimajuro, played brilliantly by Ganjiro Nakamura. The film opens on a lazy, stagnant river as the troupe lays spread about on a boat deck drifting downstream. It's obvious that they're a ragged bunch as they sit fanning themselves and smoking on deck. The boat pulls into a quiet fishing village where the troupe proceeds to canvass the town, hanging up posters and performing impromptu stunts for the inhabitants. Kimajuro and his actress mistress, Sumiko (Machiko Kyo), head to the theatre and secure their cramped quarters above the theatre's main hall. Kimajuro leaves to pay a visit to a local saki bar owned by Oyoshi (Haruko Sugimura), who, years previous, had conceived a child with Kimajuro. The child has grown into a strapping young man, Kiyoshi (Hiroshi Kawaguchi), who has a good job at the post office. Kimajuro, although clearly proud of his son, has refused to take responsibility for the child and Kiyoshi thinks Kimajuro is merely his uncle. Unbeknownst to Kimajuro, Sumiko has discovered his secret, and, infuriated, hires a young actress to seduce Kiyoshi. Terrified that his son is falling for this woman of loose morals, Kimajuro has to decide what's most important: keeping his secret safe or saving his son by acknowledging his paternity. ~ Brian Whitener, Rovi
- Directed By
- Yasujiro Ozu
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Nov 17, 1959 Wide
- Studio
- Criterion Collection
Critic Reviews
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Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The sheer beauty of Ozu's exquisite (and typically eccentric) compositions and the expressive use of sound tell all you need know about the characters, their emotions and relationships.
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Roger Greenspun, New York Times
Ozu is, however, very special in his technique, which by the end of his career, had become very modest, lucid and lovely.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Sooner or later, everyone who loves movies comes to Ozu. He is the quietest and gentlest of directors, the most humanistic, the most serene. But the emotions that flow through his films are strong and deep.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
His spare, slow-moving films are not for all tastes, but once the rhythms are accepted, Ozu's work offers a unique emotional experience.
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Philip French, Observer [UK]
This is a vibrant movie, one of his few in colour, and touches on universal themes through the story of a middle-aged actor and his young mistress coming with a second-rate kabuki company to a small coastal town.
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Cast
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Machiko Kyo
as Sumiko
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Koji Mitsui
as Kichinosuke
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Ganjiro Nakamura
as Komajuro Arashi
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Chishu Ryu
as Theatre Owner
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Haruko Sugimura
as Oyoshi
- Haruo Tanaka
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Ayako Wakao
as Kayo
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Hiroshi Kawaguchi
as Kiyoshi Homma
- Mutsuko Sakura
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Mantaro Ushio
as Sentaro
