While Lady Oyu (1951) wasn't a personal project for the director Kenji Mizoguchi, he certainly makes it seem like one. His striking cinematography can be noticed in almost every scene. The intensity of the movement and the compositions is gripping.
The screenplay - which is based on a famous novel by Junichiro Tanizaki - focuses on the fascinating dynamics of the relationships between two sisters and a man looking for a wife. Yet again, Mizoguchi observes the position of women in a refreshing way. I won't go into too much detail because it would spoil the fun of watching the story unfold.
It is often said that Kinuyo Tanaka was miscast as the title character and I can see why someone would say so. Especially the ones who have read the book think so, but for me her strong performance brought an entire new layer to the content. Even though her performance is extremely captivating the other actors manage to keep up with her.
Lady Oyu might not be one of the best Mizoguchi films, but it is successful in its powerful drama.
Score: 9 out of 10
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