377 - When a Woman Ascends the Stairs

[criterionmaster]

- New, restored high-definition digital transfer
- Audio commentary by Japanese-film scholar Donald Richie
- New video interview with Tatsuya Nakadai
- Theatrical trailer
- New and improved English subtitle translation
- PLUS: A booklet featuring essays by film scholars Audie Bock, Catherine Russell, and Phillip Lopate

[criterionmaster]

This is possible my most anticipated release. I will start the thread with my original review:

Woman Ascends the Stairs (Mikio Naruse; 1960) 10/10

I went into this completely blind, all I wanted was a good Japanese film that I hadn’t heard of, but what I got was one of the best films I have ever seen. I slowly realized as the film went on that I was watching a masterpiece, the beauty of the film was that it didn’t rely on fancy shit, it was simple. I have said this before, it’s nice to see fancy camera angles and all that stuff but rarely do I get to see a film that is so simple. Beauty comes from the simple things and people forget that. You don’t realize it but it’s true.

The film follows the character of Keiko (Mama) who is forced to work at a bar to have enough money to live. The character of Mama is played so brilliantly by Takamine, she was one of the best Asian actresses I had ever seen.

The direction from Naruse is perfect. Every shot is a work of art. I wish some of his work was on DVD!

SPOILER: Click to show

At the end of the film when the man she loves leaves Mama and is riding on the train, just the little look of regret in his face made tears come to my eyes. It was one of the single most beautiful little things I had seen in a film.

I was blown away by this film. Everything about it was perfectly done. Seriously one of the best character studies ever. When this comes out on DVD I want EVERYONE to go out and buy it immediately.



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Well like I said, everyone must go out and buy the film when it comes out, well now’s the time! Get out and get this, the film is a masterpiece. It has its rightful spot on my list, despite what some members on the forum think.

EDIT: The cover is a work of art as well. I hope the features add to the film experience.

[misterbalco]

Im giving Criterion props for expanding their directors and making sure the greats that we may not be familiar with yet get their names out there. Im pretty excited about this release, my only question is how Dan got a copy of this film?! Did you download it?

[criterionmaster]

Yeah, I did download it a while ago. It was the best thing I have ever downloaded, such a great pick for my first Naruse.

[jumpingjackflash]

I'm definitely getting this release. If I like what and see (and being an Ozu fan I suspect I will) then I will invest in the MoC Naruse boxset.

Very psyched.

[criterionmaster]

I am already investing in that Naruse MoC box, right after Christmas sometime I am going to buy it.

[criterionmaster]

I am sure jumpingjackflash will be excited, dvdbeaver just gave it a fantastic review.

"Anyone keen at all on Japanese cinema should consider this a must-own DVD. With Naruse being the greatest Japanese director still unknown to many American audiences..."

Please everyone see this film.