"Floating Weeds" DVD Review
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The Bottom Line
I'm thrilled to own the Criterion Collection two-disc DVD set containing two films by Ozu: "A Story of Floating Weeds" (1934) and "Floating Weeds" (1959). Both movies are great, and I enjoyed the accompanying commentary tracks?Japanese film expert Donald Richie handles the older film, while critic Roger Ebert covers the more recent one. If you like any Ozu film, I think you'll want to buy this DVD set.
If you're not familiar with his work, this DVD set will make an excellent introduction.
Pros
Cons
Description
Guide Review - "Floating Weeds" DVD Review
I'm thrilled to own the Criterion Collection two-disc DVD set containing two movies by legendary Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu: "A Story of Floating Weeds" (1934) and "Floating Weeds" (1959). Both movies are great, and I thoroughly enjoyed the accompanying commentary tracks?Japanese film expert Donald Richie handles the older film, while the more recent one is covered by critic Roger Ebert.
The story is the same in both movies: Traveling players come to a backwater town, where the head of the troupe renews a long-dormant relationship with two locals, a former lover and her young adult son. The young man believes the actor to be his uncle, although they are biologically father and son. But the actor?s actions provoke the troupe?s leading lady since she and he have been lovers for the last few years. She pays a young actress to seduce the actor?s son, leading to a crisis.
Both films are terrific, and I think anyone who loves movies will want to see them both. The 1959 version is in color and provides one beautiful shot after another. The 1934 version is silent and is arguably more emotionally powerful. I liked the silent film?s piano score: it was recorded in 2004 and is reminiscent of Schumann.
If you've liked any Ozu film, I think you'll want to buy this DVD set. If you're not familiar with the great Japanese filmmaker's work, this pair of films and their commentary tracks will make an excellent introduction.
Read Full Review
The Bottom Line
I'm thrilled to own the Criterion Collection two-disc DVD set containing two films by Ozu: "A Story of Floating Weeds" (1934) and "Floating Weeds" (1959). Both movies are great, and I enjoyed the accompanying commentary tracks?Japanese film expert Donald Richie handles the older film, while critic Roger Ebert covers the more recent one. If you like any Ozu film, I think you'll want to buy this DVD set.
If you're not familiar with his work, this DVD set will make an excellent introduction.
Pros
- Two masterworks by legendary Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu
- Audio commentaries by Donald Richie and Roger Ebert
- Unusual opportunity to see a great writer-director film the same story twice
Cons
- Ozu?s pacing may be too deliberate for some viewers
- Dramatic tension is subtle, and there may not be enough action for some viewers
- Quiet, contemplative style of movies will not suit all viewers? temperaments
Description
- Two-disc Criterion Collection DVD set containing two Japanese films directed by Yasujiro Ozu
- Disc One contains "A Story of Floating Weeds" (1934) plus audio commentary by Donald Richie
- Disc Two contains "Floating Weeds" (1959) plus audio commentary by Roger Ebert
- "A Story of Floating Weeds" is in black-and-white and silent with optional piano score
- Excellent sound quality on piano score; mostly good picture quality on 1934 film
- "Floating Weeds" is in color and has monaural soundtrack with dialogue in Japanese
- Very good picture and sound quality throughout 1959 film
- Feature run time: "A Story of Floating Weeds" ? 1 hour 26 minutes
- Feature run time: "Floating Weeds" ? 1 hour 59 minutes
- DVD release date: April 20, 2004
Guide Review - "Floating Weeds" DVD Review
I'm thrilled to own the Criterion Collection two-disc DVD set containing two movies by legendary Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu: "A Story of Floating Weeds" (1934) and "Floating Weeds" (1959). Both movies are great, and I thoroughly enjoyed the accompanying commentary tracks?Japanese film expert Donald Richie handles the older film, while the more recent one is covered by critic Roger Ebert.
The story is the same in both movies: Traveling players come to a backwater town, where the head of the troupe renews a long-dormant relationship with two locals, a former lover and her young adult son. The young man believes the actor to be his uncle, although they are biologically father and son. But the actor?s actions provoke the troupe?s leading lady since she and he have been lovers for the last few years. She pays a young actress to seduce the actor?s son, leading to a crisis.
Both films are terrific, and I think anyone who loves movies will want to see them both. The 1959 version is in color and provides one beautiful shot after another. The 1934 version is silent and is arguably more emotionally powerful. I liked the silent film?s piano score: it was recorded in 2004 and is reminiscent of Schumann.
If you've liked any Ozu film, I think you'll want to buy this DVD set. If you're not familiar with the great Japanese filmmaker's work, this pair of films and their commentary tracks will make an excellent introduction.
Read Full Review
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