The Girl Raised as a Future Daughter-in-law
The Girl Raised as a Future Daughter-in-law

Movie spotlight

The Girl Raised as a Future Daughter-in-law

1965
Movie
114 min
Korean

Choi Eun-hee’s directorial debut The Girl Raised as a Future Daughter-In-Law is the story of ups and downs of a future daughter-in-law who, due to poverty, married an infant rich groom. A ruined widow’s daughter Jum-soon has no time to rest, as her mother-in-law treats her like a maid, leaving her with all the kitchen chores, house cleaning, grinding grain, and sewing, while the mother-in-law smokes a pipe and nitpicks on her. What allows Jum-soon to endure is her ‘duty as a woman’ taught to her since young and her child husband’s lovable yammering.

Insights

IMDb7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Director: Yasujirō OzuGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

The film centers on the unspoken desires and societal expectations surrounding marriage in post-war Japan. Akiko, a young woman, is expected to marry the son of her father's business associate, a man she has never met. As the wedding approaches, Akiko grapples with her own feelings and the complex familial and societal pressures that dictate her future.

Critical Reception

Yasujirō Ozu's final film was met with critical acclaim, lauded for its subtle exploration of family dynamics and the quiet resignation of its characters. It is considered a poignant and moving conclusion to Ozu's directorial career, reflecting his consistent themes of family, tradition, and the passage of time.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its signature Ozu directorial style and contemplative pacing.

  • Appreciated for its sensitive portrayal of societal pressures on young women.

  • Seen as a bittersweet and profound look at tradition and individual desire.

Google audience: Audience reviews highlight the film's emotional depth and masterful storytelling, often noting its impact as Ozu's last work.

Fun Fact

This film was Yasujirō Ozu's final directorial effort, completed shortly before his death in 1963, though it was released posthumously in Japan in 1965.

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