For his birthday week, we here at MovieJawn are celebrating the work of Akira Kurosawa! Check out all of the pieces here.

by Ashley Jane Davis, Staff Writer

“We have to face reality to survive in a world like this.”
“This is the kind of world where you need dreams the most.”

Many folks love Akira Kurosawa for his ambitious and influential samurai films, or his sharp noir crime thrillers. While I recognize those films are great and important to the world of cinema, I also understand more and more that what truly brings me joy are simple things. Most of all, I love stories that prove that something one person views as ordinary can be incredibly beautiful.

Kurosawa’s 1947 film, One Wonderful Sunday, was made in post-war Japan. The setting is bleak, and the tense reality of the Allied occupation of Japan is notable in each scene. Times are incredibly difficult, and the public at large suffers from a palpably low morale. In this film, we spend a Sunday with Yuzo and his fiancée, Masako. The two meet for a day out with a modest budget of 35 yen between them (roughly equal to $3.77 USD, allowing for inflation) and attempt to make the best of it.

The date starts on a low as they look at an apartment for rent and discuss how there is no way they can possibly afford a place of their own. While they talk, a baseball from a nearby game rolls over. Masako picks it up and throws it back to the children as she remarks, “I wish people in big houses thought about people like us sometimes.” Yuzo replies, “You think they care? They only think about themselves.” Rather than shoving toxic positivity down Yuzo’s (and our) throats, this isn’t argued. There isn’t a speech about there being good in all people or about each person being responsible to “pull oneself up by one’s bootstraps”. There is a moment where they both sit, looking defeated, reflecting on how unfair the lottery of life is. But on the other hand, Kurosawa doesn’t want us to linger too long in this moment. The children run over again with their baseball and for the first time in the film, we see Yuzo grin with childlike excitement when he decides to join in the game. Masako gazes at Yuzo with eyes so full of love, it warmed my heart.

Yuzo and Masako are a wonderful couple with complex emotions and individual personalities. There is honesty and real care on display in their interactions. Yuzo has many moments of feeling worthless and it is refreshing to see a man, especially in this time and place, being vulnerable and open about his feelings. He hates his job and doesn’t know how he will ever be able to take care of his fiancée’s needs or support a family of their own. We learn that at one time he had dreams, but his dreams died when he went off to fight in the war. There are scenes where Yuzo seems harsh, and for a moment I wonder if he always deserves the love he receives. But the reality is, we all deserve love. Even on our bad days. It’s no excuse to mistreat anyone, but it’s okay to have bad days. Yuzo realizes when he has hurt Masako and fixes it by showing her the same love and support she has been so readily giving out herself. 

We don’t know how or when the two met, but we immediately see that Masako is totally full of love for Yuzo. She is a big-hearted supportive partner, and attentive without trying to fix things or downplay his feelings. She sees possibility in every opportunity and is an absolute breath of fresh air that shines amongst the crumbling ruins of the city. 

Throughout the course of the day, there are ups and downs, laughter and tears. Things often do not go their way, but what stays with me the most are the things they do get to enjoy. When they allow themselves to act free, like children, they really are able to value the simple things. The pair buy some snacks (that they share with others in need), observe nature at the zoo, have a romantical walk in the rain (well, I think it’s romantical), listen to music, have a chat over tea, enjoy a swing set under the full moon, imagine a symphony (my favourite part), and spend time discussing and even acting out dreams they shared together years ago. All things considered, they do have quite a memorable day. 

Life isn’t perfect. It isn’t meant to be. Sometimes our lives can feel like they are riddled with trial after trial. I recently read that 80% of the thoughts we have each day are negative. I’m no scientist (not really…) but that sounds like a lot for our poor brains to handle. I am not saying that I think every negative can be flipped into a positive. That’s just totally untrue and impossible to strive for. Some things really are just plain awful. However, *some* of these times, it really does come down to how we view a situation. No matter how much we try, we have no way of knowing what the next day will bring. Especially because of this fact, I think there is a tremendous lot of beauty found in living in the moment. It takes self-discipline to do this sometimes – to disconnect from the countless things fighting for our attention, some of which are illusions anyway. On top of that, it’s a lot of work to consciously avoid comparison. But it’s worth the effort. 

I am lucky in so many ways. I’m not one of those persons Masako talks about, living in big houses. I don’t want to be. I’m as big of a dreamer as you’ll meet, but I dream about the little things for everyone. I’m thankful every day to be safe in this little box of an apartment with my sweetheart. Watching this movie and reflecting on how beautiful my simple life really is is a lovely way to spend one wonderful Sunday.