The Girl in the Rumor

“The marriage proposal has turned into something really weird."

The Girl in the Rumor is a short film that packs a powerful punch, with layers of meaning and consequences. Director Naruse wove together beautiful camera shots and close-ups of his subjects, keeping the viewer uncomfortably near his characters’ hidden raw emotions.

Kenkichi runs the Nayada, a sake shop his late wife’s family owns. Business has gone downhill, whether because of the economy, his lack of skill, or that the grandfather is drinking the profits. Oldest daughter Kunie is traditional and calm, helping him to run the shop. She smiles and laughs at Grandpa’s costly habits. Kimiko, the youngest is a firebrand who dresses in Western clothes, listens to jazz music loudly in the house, and stays out late with her friends and even boys.

Kunie’s uncle has played matchmaker for her with a wealthy family. She takes Kimiko with her to steady her nerves. Kimiko is loud, rude, and disruptive during the proceedings. Of course, Sato, Kunie’s intended falls for Kimiko. He and Kimiko end up spending time together afterward and he asks that they exchange her for Kunie. Meanwhile, Kenkichi, doesn’t want Kunie in an arranged marriage for he had been miserable in his. He also needs to figure out how to tell Kimiko that Oyu, who runs the bar next door, is not only his mistress but her mother. He also wants Oyu to come and live with them. Not only that, but Kenkichi has either been watering his sake down or changed the formula to save money. Of course, before it’s all over, everything is thrown into the air like tossed salad and scrambled eggs!

Naruse seemed to enjoy exploring the different aspects of women. Kunie was quiet, obedient, hard working and wore traditional clothes. Kimiko was one of the most annoying characters to have ever graced a movie screen. She was self-absorbed, rude, like her grandpa was a spendthrift, and could be casually cruel. The clash of western and traditional values were on full display, or at least Naruse’s version of them. In addition to the culture clash, the father had gone outside of marriage, creating a rift with his wife and child, something he does not want for Kunie. The man who had appeared calm and stable was actually a catalyst for the upcoming storm. The resolution to many of their problems lie within their reach, when out of the family drama, chaos dragged its members down. All that had seemed important turned to ash by the end. Naruse had no problem taking a flamethrower to an olive branch.

The film started with the barber and his customer across the street discussing how the Nayada wasn’t as good as it used to be. At the end of the film, they coldly and blithely take bets over what will be there next. No corner for a feel-good ending is left, only the darkness of the storm and the wreckage in its wake.

1/30/23

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