The Only Son (1936)

 

                                                       The Only Son (1936)

Director: Yasujirō Ozu
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 1h 27m

Set in pre-war Japan, The Only Son explores themes of sacrifice, familial bonds, and the struggle for upward mobility in the face of poverty. The story follows O-Tsune, a widowed silk factory worker, who makes the difficult decision to invest in her son Ryosuke’s education, despite their meager means. She hopes that his success will provide a better life for both of them. Years later, O-Tsune travels to Tokyo to reunite with Ryosuke, only to find that his life is far from what she imagined. The film delves into the bittersweet reality of their relationship, touching on societal expectations and the generational gap between mother and son.

Film Review

Yasujirō Ozu’s The Only Son is a poignant and understated exploration of familial sacrifice and quiet disappointment. As Ozu’s first talkie, it retains the aesthetic hallmarks of his earlier silent films: static camera work, minimalistic sets, and an emphasis on everyday life. The dialogue is spare but deeply resonant, highlighting the unspoken emotions and sacrifices made by O-Tsune, played with quiet dignity by Chōko Iida.

The film’s realism is both its strength and its melancholy core. It portrays the stark gap between expectations and reality, with Ryosuke embodying the pressures of modernization and the challenges of Japan’s rapidly changing society. Ozu’s direction masterfully balances empathy and critique, particularly in the nuanced portrayal of Ryosuke’s struggles and his mother’s stoic disappointment. The pacing is slow yet deliberate, mirroring the subdued emotional tension that defines the characters' lives.

While the film’s deliberate pacing and minimalist style may not appeal to all viewers, The Only Son offers an emotionally rich experience for those who appreciate character-driven storytelling. It’s a meditation on love, sacrifice, and the unfulfilled promises of ambition, making it a timeless classic in Ozu’s body of work.

UK Rating

The Only Son would likely receive a U (Universal) or PG (Parental Guidance) rating in the UK. Its themes of family and social challenges are mature but handled with subtlety, devoid of strong language, violence, or other objectionable content. The film is suitable for most audiences, though younger viewers might not fully grasp its emotional depth



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