Daisuke Katô, Eitar? Ozawa, Ganjiro Nakamura
A successful but aging madam of a Tokyo hostess bar realizes that she will soon have to retire.
DVD Release Date: February 20, 2007
Stats: 76 reviews
a patient, emotional, and highly effective portrayal of the struggle of a virtuous woman in a not so virtuous world. the film features some of the great and familiar actors from this era of japanese cinema and just about every aspect of the film was performed well. the only rea...( read more)
An interesting look at the bar-going subculture of 60's Japan. Not among Naruse's most powerful films, but still a worthwhile film due to the gorgeous cinematography (only the ending of Yearning looks better), a jazzy soundtrack, and a great performance by Takamine.
My first Naruse film and certainly wont be my last. He bridges the gap between Ozu's dissection of Japanese women of the time and Kurosawa's entertainment values. A true beauty of a film it is funny, moving but never sentimental. Despite some dark turns the film always keeps it'...( read more)
like a lifetime movie if the script was taken hostage by a world wearied, beatdown soul with whiskey soaked into every fiber of his body. someone who probably looks like wade garrett.
Probably one of the most innovative films of its genre, focusing on the life of the very wealthy and their games and pleasures and merriment. I found this to be very intriguing for one reason in that it does not shoot it to be bleak, but displays its bleakness by acting, for that...( read more)
Naruse remains one of the most underrated Japanese filmmakers of all time. He is film Connoisseurs' best kept secret. His imagery is luminescent and his strong female protagonists hark back to Mizoguchi. Naruse's talent is his highly idiosynchratic style and brave storytelling. H...( read more)
Okay, I'm kind of dumb because at first I thought that "Mama" was referring to "mother" and not a name. Mind you, I got past that pretty quick, but it did throw me for a loop originally.
Before I go on with the review of the movie, I have to commend the opening credits. Ye...( read more)
This movie not only stands as an excellent portrait of a woman trying to make a life of her own while working in the 'mizu shobai'/bar hostess industry but also the situations in which women in Japan have to struggle through: independence, power, duty, and love. Great direction ...( read more)
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