MovieChat Forums > Ohayô Discussion > I wanted to smack those kids!

I wanted to smack those kids!

posted 13 years ago by a_rarden
9 replies | jump to latest

The movie was okay. The only thing that took a few stars away for me was having to read subtitles; but that's my own problem...I'm a slow reader so I can't focus on the picture very much, lol! Anyway, I found the younger brother to be adorable, in his mimics and his cute face. And I gotta hand it to the kids for their attempt. I did like that the parents played with it and joked with it, along with the fun "trouble" it stirred up amongst the ladies in town.

But, there were a few times where the older son went a little too far and ticked me off, and I wanted to smack him! And it bugged the heck out of me when I saw that they actually got the TV! I don't remember being told how the father was able to pay for the TV, and the kids didn't learn any lesson!

[–] Molly-31 13 years ago

No lesson. The whole thing is a satire.

Oh, and how the dad afforded it? Remember the guy from the bar who came in and told the family he'd found a job selling appliances door to door and that you could get an installment plan? That's how he did it.

Let's just say that God doesn't believe in me.

[–] amd8404 10 years ago

He also says that the reason they don't have a TV is not because they can't afford it but because he feels TV makes you into an idiot.

[–] Molly-31 9 years ago

Right, he did! I forgot about that!

Television rots tha brane.

[–] ihnlChiv 12 years ago

it's unfair to lower its rating because you're a slower reader. it should be judged on the movie itself.

i personally didn't like it much and gave it a 5. it felt like what i imagine a desperate housewives episode would be.

[–] hka-3 11 years ago

I found the younger brother to be adorable, in his mimics and his cute face. And I gotta hand it to the kids for their attempt. I did like that the parents played with it and joked with it, along with the fun "trouble" it stirred up amongst the ladies in town.

Well said! I was a hyper kid, so I know I couldn't have kept up a no talking pact for long.

I did feel like the kids learned a lesson in discipline. I think maybe the adults were impressed with their discipline, as well. I thought it was interesting how it got the adults discussing the use of verbal communication.

[–] Kawada_Kira 10 years ago

You shouldn't take stars away from the movie just because you don't like subtitles. Most people have no problem with them. They never give me any difficulty. As you yourself said, it's your own problem, not the film's. Particularly since the film was intended for a Japanese audience to begin with.

"The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor."
- Voltaire

[–] hka-3 9 years ago

Good points, plus some of the acting was done without dialogue, anyway. Btw, this film will be on TCM again December 1st, late night/early morning.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

[–] nutsberryfarm 9 years ago

got the dvr ready to go! 

🎄Season's Greetings!🎁🎅🎄

[–] elliott-43 9 years ago

Children rarely will behave or act out in ways outside of the script and stage set for them by their parents and community that their daily routines connect with. Their Dad, dismissive and remote, almost mute except for his grunts and theats that the kids know well are just threats, has the demeanor of the shell shocked. Considering that 15 years earlier his Japan was conflagated into an ash heap, just finding its legs here, the portrait is not necessarily unsympathetic. The self absorbed Mother and her hen house of clicking neighbors--there is a sympathy Ozu shows here too, which is the humor and soft beauty that Ozu frames the barracks-like village that lies below the dike, berm, or whatever it is the kids climb up to and see some sky. I wanted to slap the parents and I cheered those kids and smiled broadly at their point and fart routine. And I watched it on MY television. So there!