I just finished my first viewing of Tokyo Story (also my first Ozu film)and I have to admit it was at first hard to get into but halfway through the movie I got the taste of it. Anyway I couldn't help to notice some similarities in relation to the indifferent nature of the characters in the film to Kurosawa's "Ikiru". Both films were made around the same time. Personally I liked Ikiru better, what do you think?
shareI much prefer Ozu's take on ordinary family life. Not a fan of Ikiru (but like some other Kurosawa films quite a bit).
MEK
Analyze only when necessary.
fortune cookie, 4-24-2010
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Ikiru all day
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http://www.imdb.com/list/QrvH_XBk74E/ - my top 100 films
Ikiru easily for me. I actually felt something in that one and was entertained.
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Ikiru is a fabulous movie. I rate it as the best Japanese film of all-time and No. 8 on my all-time list. I find it much more moving and interesting than Tokyo Story. Tokyo Story is a very good film but I do believe 20 minutes could have been cut from it. As it is, I rate Tokyo Story the 6th best Japanese film and No. 54 on my all-time list. I rate Ugetsu, The Seven Samurai, Rashomon and Sansho the Bailiff as the 2nd through 5th best Japanese films of all time. In fact, I find Late Spring and Early Summer by Ozu to be almost as good as Tokyo Story - they just seem to move along at a bit better pace and more interesting (but Tokyo Story does have more plot variation and has more of a message and more drama). They are the 8th and 10th best Japanese films in my opinion (Ran and Life of Oharu sneak in at 7th and 9th).
shareNice list. Although, I think I'd have to include High and Dry somewhere in there, along with Woman in the Dunes.
"Why do you find it so hard to believe?"
"Why do you find it so easy?"
"It's never BEEN easy!"
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I do love Ikiru, it's a wonderful film, but I would put Tokyo Story over it. Tokyo Story feels a bit less 'forced', please, don't get me wrong, but I just feel Tokyo Story is a lot more subtle. That being said, they are both truly great films.
'Loneliness has followed me my whole life' - Travis Bickle Taxi Driver
They are both masterpieces, but I do prefer Ikiru.
shareI agree. Both are extraordinary movies but I personally liked Ikiru better.
shareVery much agree, Kurosawa is much more my cup of tea and "Ikiru" touched me MUCH more deeply personally, but the fantastically moving artistry of both is QUITE apparent and affective.....!D
shareI'll let you know when I rewatch both.
Maybe.
I just watched Tokyo Story for the first time last night and I'm still trying to sort out how I feel about it. There were little things I loved throughout but by the end I wasn't sure what I got, exactly. I did like it, though.
I watched Ikiru almost two years ago. I was thoroughly bored to death throughout it (mostly / it was almost unbearable at times), but when it ended, it had a big impact on me. It's been some time since so I can't go into more detail but I'm looking forward to watching it again.
"Ikiru" (1952): 9/10.
"Tokyo Story" (1953): 8/10.
I've rated "Ikiru" higher, even though I think it has some pacing issues namely at the end of Act 2. There is plenty enough curveballs, interactions, and moments that make me really adore how they approached everything (That camera movement when the office man sits down in defeat behind his papers is great subtle emphasis).
Saying that, Kurosawa is my 3rd favourite director and I've yet to see more Ozu pictures. There's a history where Ozu and a young assistant had a discussion on how to film conversations with either both actors in frame, or looking at each other (Via. straight at the camera). They tested each methods and Ozu said "You see? No difference"!
It's some of the acting and that camera approach that really took me out of "Tokyo Story", granted I did enjoy the movie overall and that tear drop spoke a 1000 words. I can only respect its deserved spot in the history books and both are very wonderful postwar works that really hold up well. I look forward to seeing more of Ozu's work, and what did anyone else think? :)