The Kijima family underwent significant changes after the war. The head of the household, Shinsaku, was once a renowned playwright, but after the war, he was unable to write anything. Now, he is forced to live off the earnings of his eldest son, who works at a bank. The youngest son is still studying at university, while the middle son has passed away, leaving behind his young widow, Sakie, who continues to live in the household. Everyone likes this kind and caring woman, but how can they ensure her future happiness? She can't possibly remain in her father-in-law's house for the rest of her life, can she?
This movie is filled with performers I don't recognize. Neither can I put faces to the names; the character names are not listed. Despite what you might think, this is not a bad thing. Instead of admiring how a familiar actress is handling this role, I can concentrate of the character and the story. And the characters are interesting, struggling with changed positions in a changed world. Their solution is to change themselves.
Although these changes in character usually result, in most stories, with actual successes, they needn't. Here here, they certainly don't, at least not uniformly. Although I was disappointed for those who did not succeed, I realize that is because I like the characters, and wish them success. That is nice writing, to offer characters you genuinely care for.
