• It’s very plotted for an Imamura film- a saga, a love story (doomed of course because it’s Imamura), there’s the Ronin story with Ken Ogata and then the larger political and social reform back story that comes to the forefront late
  • Film also known as “Why Not” title
  • Great shot early using the sliced watermelon in the forefront of the frame
  • Extras galore- a big epic production
  • Love the reunion shot of the Ine and Genji characters—framed by the window and laundry hanging (if that isn’t a nod to Ozu I don’t know what is)—the very next shot is one of them caged through barred wooden columns – this shot is used throughout—it’s a bit of a stretch but I think the cage is connected with Imamura’s continued use of zoomorphism and applying descriptions of animals to humans
  • Sexuality and Imamura—raw and crude at times- the bathroom display sequence late during the demonstration
  • Really bad playful music during the robbery for the first time, not set up, at 30 minutes
  • Some stunning Ozu interiors and mise-en-scene layering- some with flowers framing in the front left
  • Recommend/ HR border