Tokyo Story

I had to watch at least one movie by our dog's namesake, Yasujior Ozu. I remember when I took a film class the professor said all film boils down to three names, Bresson, Dreyer and Ozu. Because most of the "Best of" lists are American based (like the AFI list that just came out) these guys get left off. So I needed to make sure I watched at least one by this trinity.
I watched this film in two installments which was a good idea. I find these films stretch my attention span, but also this gives me a chance to sit with the film a little longer. Tokyo Story is basicaly about normal people experiencing normal life. Generational differences is the central theme but it seems like Ozu is trying to figure out what to make of what I imagine are the monumental changes in Japan after WW2. The basic idea is that two elderly parents visit their children in Tokyo and the children as basically too busy to deal with their visitors. Some of the children are oblivious to their selfishness while others are immobilized by it.
There are some great film making techniques here - especially the use of architeture and city scenes to give a sense of clostrophobia.