One Wonderful Sunday (1947)

During a Sunday trip into war-ravaged Tokyo, despairing Yuzo and optimistic Masako look for work and lodging, as well as affordable entertainments to pass the time.

Director:

Akira Kurosawa

Writers:

Akira Kurosawa, Keinosuke Uekusa

Stars:

Isao Numasaki, Chieko Nakakita, Atsushi Watanabe

2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Isao Numasaki	...	Yuzo
Chieko Nakakita	...	Masako
Atsushi Watanabe	...	Yamamoto
Zekô Nakamura	...	Dessert Shop Owner
Ichirô Namiki	...	Street Photographer
Toppa Utsumi	...	Street Photographer
Ichirô Sugai	...	Yamiya, the black-marketeer
Masao Shimizu	...	Dance Hall Manager
Tokuji Kobayashi	...	Overweight apartment receptionist
Shiro Mizutani	...	Waif
Aguri Hidaka	...	Dancer
Midori Ariyama	...	Sono, Yamiya's mistress
Katao Kawasaki	...	Bakery Owner
Toshi Mori	...	Apartment Superintendent

Storyline

Yuzo and his fiancée Masako spend their Sunday afternoon together, trying to have a good time on just thirty-five yen. They manage to have many small adventures, especially because Masako's optimism and belief in dreams is able to lift Yuzo from his realistic despair.

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Plot Keywords:

cigarette smoking | miming | full moon | swinging | swing | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film's climax was considered a failure in both Japan and the U.S. as audiences refused to clap for the lead characters, though supposedly it went over very well in France, gaining much audience participation.

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Quotes

Yuzo: We have to face reality to survive in a world like this.
Masako: This is the kind of world where you need dreams the most. You can't live without them. It'd be too painful.
Yuzo: Dreams won't fill your belly.
Masako: You had dreams, too, before you went off to war.

User Reviews

It's painful not to have dreams

Akira Kurosawa's movies have a whole range of themes, be they set in contemporary or in historical eras. To name a few: the chasm between the rich and the poor, between the strong and the weak, between the courageous and the cowards, between the powerful and their foot folk, between the honest and the deceitful, between the clever and the idiots, between the sincere and the dishonest, and also, importantly, between war (destruction and loss) and peace (happiness).

In this movie, made just after WW II, he depicts the struggle for life of 'poor lovers', whose dreams were shattered by the war. Japan is in dire straits: no jobs, and, if you have a job, bad salaries; high rents for decent shelters and huge inflation. 'Free markets' are controlled by 'black' merchants and their thugs. There is still an upper class, which looks with contempt on those without money, their former foot folk. The girl remains optimistic, but her lover is deeply depressed.

Akira Kurosawa made some very risky shots on the music of F. Schubert's unfinished symphony. But, he had the mastery to create the perfect mood. Not to be missed and certainly not by A. Kurosawa fans.

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

June 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Wonderful Sunday

Filming Locations:

Toho Studios, Tokyo, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

Toho Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1