A woman goes about her days, spending time with many different people. Her aunt introduces her to a man, whom, in her quest for a good life, she marries. Her father returns to an empty home.

While this premise sounds interesting, it is not the reason why so many people love Ozu’s 1949 cinematic drama Late Spring. While it is often second fiddle to the director’s later Tokyo Story, its evocation of relationships through minimalistic storytelling made it much more impactful for me.

Abbas Kiarostami said something along the lines of how the slowest movies are the ones that stick with him. This certainly applies for me and Late Spring, as watching this movie can sometimes be the cinematic equivalent of watching paint dry. Yet, through his thorough presentation of Japanese life in the ‘40s, Ozu creates an uncompromising piece of art, which not only stands as a time capsule, but also holds many similarities to the modern day. I too can relate to feeling lost in life.

Even when Ozu’s characters are not framed in doorways and walls - literally or figuratively - they stay in the middle frame. Surrounded by traditions and culture, we ultimately see the daughter who wants to break free from the mold standing in an expensive kimono, waiting to marry a man who we never see. She gives in because of what she has been told, among which is a broken promise made by her father.

There is a pervading sense of emptiness in the last scene. The clothing that used to be strewn around the house is no longer there, and the rooms are darkly lit. There is a mirror that nobody is using. The woman is gone. As the father leans his head down, I think I understand the point of the movie on an emotional level, and not just objective.

I think that I could have gotten the same experience out of this movie if it were an hour shorter. Many scenes are, plot-wise, drawn out and unnecessary. Moreover, the characters can feel very stiff, making it quite hard to connect to them. However, the experience was more rewarding as a result. If you can get past these changes from the norm, you might just love Late Spring.