When the eldest son dies, and then the father, Kinuyo Tanaka is left to carry on the laundry. She not only has to learn how to handle the iron -- for Daisuke Katô cannot remain to help out forever, but there are still three children in the house: elder daughter Kyôko Kagawa, who is resentful of the changes, a younger daughter who will be going to live with her late husband's brother, and a nephew -- his widowed mother, Chieko Nakakita, is studying hairdressing.
It's a family portrait by Naruse, and while there is hardship, it's not a story of misery and oppression, but one of love. The actors all give heartfelt performances, but it is Miss Tanaka, at the heart of the movie, who truly shines. She feels her loss deeply, her responsibilities more deeply, and her love most of all; her reaction when Miss Nakakita has dressed up Miss Nakakito as a bride for a competition is an expression of love, pride and sadness that is indescribably beautiful and true.
It's not one of Naruse's greatest pictures, but this might be the most telling scene he ever directed.
