Electra Complex (PART 3 OF 4)
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Noriko and Prof. Onodera
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Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto
Noriko changes her opinion of Onodera's remarriage when she discovers that his new wife is a nice person.
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Noriko and her father
Noriko and her father, Shukichi, sat down on their futon at an inn in Kyoto during the father and daughter's last trip together. Noriko and her father had enjoyed sightseeing and visiting with Professor Onodera and his wife and daughter. Now Noriko discusses what Noriko plans to do tomorrow. Then they decide to turn in for the night. Noriko turns out the ceiling light and they lie down on their separate futons on the floor of the inn. Noriko talks about what a nice person Onodera's new wife is, and how embarrassed and even ashamed she feels for having called Onodera's remarriage "filthy." Shukichi assures Noriko that she should not worry about it, because Onodera never took her words seriously. After Noriko confesses to her father that she found the thought of his own remarriage "distasteful," she looks over to discover that he is already asleep, or seems to be. She looks up towards the ceiling and appears to smile. There follows a six-second medium shot, in the semidarkness, of a vase on the floor in the same room, in front of a shōji screen through which the shadows of leafy branches can be seen. There is a cut back to Noriko, now looking sad and pensive, almost in tears. Then there is a ten-second shot of the vase again, as the music on the soundtrack swells, cuing the next scene at the Ryōan-temple rock garden in Kyoto.
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Noriko and her father
While packing their luggage for the trip home, Noriko asks her father why they can't simply stay as they are now, even if he does remarry – she is very happy living with him and marriage certainly wouldn’t make her any happier.
So, Noriko really loves her father, doesn't she?
Yes, she does. But Shukichi admonishes her, saying that she must embrace the new life she will build with Satake, one in which Shukichi will have no part, because "that’s the order of human life and history." Noriko asks her father’s forgiveness for her "selfishness" and agrees to go ahead with the marriage.
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Noriko’s wedding day arrives. At home just before the ceremony, both Shukichi and Masa admire Noriko, who is dressed in a traditional wedding costume. Noriko thanks her father for the care he has taken of her throughout her life and then leaves in a hired car for the wedding.
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Aya and Noriko
Afterwards, Aya, a divorced friend of Noriko’s, goes with Shukichi to a bar, where he confesses that his claim that he was going to marry Mrs. Miwa was a ruse all along; he had said so only to help persuade Noriko to get married herself. Aya, touched by his sacrifice, promises to visit him often. Shukichi returns home and faces the quiet night all alone.
...sounds quite interesting. By the way, is there any explicit incestuous scene?
No, not really...no such disgusting scenes at all. Do you want to see sexually explicit scenes?
No, I don't. But without such scenes, "Late Spring" would be monotonous, wouldn't it?
Oh, come on, Diane...believe me..."Late Spring" is one of the best movies I've ever seen...especially, the Electra-complex scenes of father and daughter.
I wish I could see the movie.
Of course, you can see it.
But, I cannot understand Japanese.
You can borrow the DVD with English subtitles.
Where can I get it?
From Joe Fortes Library. If You cannot find it, you can always reserve one.
I can hardly wait. I gotta run now.
You'd better. I assure you, you wouldn't regret it.
【Himiko's Monologue】
I consider "Tokyo Story" to be the best of all Ozu's movies.
Tokyo Story (1953) Directed by Yasujirô Ozu
(Full Movie: 2 hours 15 mins.)
With English translation
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It tells the story of an aging couple who travel to Tokyo to visit their grown children.
The film contrasts the behavior of their biological children, who are too busy to pay them much attention, and their daughter-in-law played by Setsuko Hara, who treats them with kindness.
It is often regarded as Ozu's masterpiece, and has twice appeared in Sight & Sound magazine's 'Top Ten' list of the greatest films ever made.
In any case, I'd like to meet my "Romeo"---a decent man in my future life.
How come I'm always a loner?
I wish I could meet a nice gentleman at the library in my town as Diane met Kato.
Well, they say, there is a way where there is a will.
I hope Kato will write another interesting article.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(To be continued)