Good Morning (1959) - Yasujiro Ozu

Typically of Yasuijiro Ozu's work, Good Morning, takes a look at the dynamics which exist in a family and the community in which they live.  This story centers around two young, mischievous boys who indirectly bring un-needed conflict to their family and community as a whole.  When their mother and father refuse to purchase a television, these two young boys become so insistent that their father frankly tells them to be quiet.  Of course the boys take him literally, and refuse to speak entirely, with their impoliteness beginning to disturb the fragile, organized structure of Japanese culture.  Yasujiro Ozu's Good Morning is a quiet, light-hearted comedy that takes a look at life and etiquette in a small Japanese village.   Ozu's film is soft-spoken and non-threatening but its message about civilized formalities, the importance of simple human communication, is much deeper and fascinating than many make it out to be.  Using the simplest routine formality imaginable, the two young boys not greeting their neighbors,  Ozu creates a frantic community in which everyone over-analyzes the simplest things, like not saying "Good Morning", becoming increasingly paranoid about their social standings in the community.  I wouldn't say Ozu is critiquing these social norms, but rather showing the importance of such practices, showing how politeness can really go a long way.  Good Morning is definitely not one of Ozu's most profound works, but it's a light and intricate story that in essence captures the importance of human communication. 

---