An Inlet of Muddy Water (1953)
"Nigorie" (original title)

Story 1 : "The Thirteenth Night". Seki turns up at her parents' house in the dead of night, where she breaks down and says she cannot continue to live with her husband, a rich man to whom ... See full summary »

Director:

Tadashi Imai

Writers:

Ichiyo Higuchi (stories), Toshirô Ide (screenplay),

Stars:

Ken Mitsuda, Yatsuko Tan'ami, Akiko Tamura

5 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ken Mitsuda	...	Saito Kanae (Story 1)
Yatsuko Tan'ami	...	Harada Seki (Story 1)
Akiko Tamura	...	Saito Moyo (Story 1)
Hiro Kumon	...	Saito Inosuke (Story 1)
Hiroshi Akutagawa	...	Takasaka Rokunosuke (Story 1)
Susumu Tatsuoka	...	Yamamura Kahee
Teruko Nagaoka	...	Yamamura Aya
Noboru Nakaya	...	Yamamura Ishinosuke
Yoshiko Kuga	...	Mine
Nobuo Nakamura	...	Yasubee
Michiko Araki	...	Shin
Shiro Inui	...	Minosuke
Kazuo Kitamura	...	Rickshaw man (Story 2)
Hisao Toake	...	Tobei
Yoshie Minami	...	O-Yae (Story 3)

Storyline

Story 1 : "The Thirteenth Night". Seki turns up at her parents' house in the dead of night, where she breaks down and says she cannot continue to live with her husband, a rich man to whom the family is indebted. After a tearful and long discussion, they convince her to return. On the way home, the rickshaw driver turns out to be an old school friend, and they reminisce about the old days. .... Story 2 : "The Last Day Of The Year". Mine is a hard-working maid in the house of a miserly, slave-driving old woman who is burdened by a wastrel son, who pesters the old woman and her new husband for money to pay off gambling debts. Mine's uncle is her only surviving relative, and the man who raised her, who is very ill and needs money to repay a loanshark. Mine promises to borrow the money from her employer but, although the old woman initially agrees, she breaks that promise on the due date, New Year's Eve. Can honest Mine resist the temptation to steal ? ..... Story 3: "An Inlet of Muddy ...

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Plot Keywords:

one word title

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

23 November 1953 (Japan)

Also Known As:

An Inlet of Muddy Water

Filming Locations:

Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bungakuza, Shinseiki Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Compelling

The first story starts very slowly. Almost nothing happens in the first five minutes. But stick with it. After this initial lull, the proceedings slowly but inexorably draw you in and they don't let go.

This is a movie that really stays with you after the finish. At just over two hours, with three entirely unrelated stories, it felt too short, and I would have been happy to watch at least one more hour. And I'm at somewhat of a loss to explain just what is so good about it.

Higuchi Ichiyo is one of Japan's foremost writers, and these three stories cover her main theme of the suffering of ordinary women. Certainly the writing and scripting are faultless. The feelings of the women in these stories have their feelings and actions explained simply and clearly, yet with great depth and complexity. And although tending to feverish melodrama at times, the actresses give top-notch performances, while the actors mostly play with admirable restraint and refinement.

Much of the action occurs at night, and the stark black-and-white cinematography underlines whatever emotion and feeling is appropriate for each scene.

Despite the apparent slowness and even naiveté of some sections, there are surprises in store as well. Overall, memorable and highly recommended.