When a Woman Ascends the Stairs
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs
Japan 1960 - Mikio Naruse - 111 mins
A young widow working as a hostess in Tokyo's neon-lit Ginza district, forces herself to drink and flirt with rich businessmen, but at thirty faces some stark choices. This masterpiece's power stems from its remarkable range of subtle, nuanced performances, above all Hideo Takumine - portraying the widow's complex motivations with heart rending delicacy.