Tokyo Story's Realism vs. Classical Hollywood Continuity's Realism

First day of October! I'm in love with New England autumns :)

Anyway, today we'll be debating the differences (and similarities!) between Yasujiro Ozu's Tokyo Story and classical Hollywood continuity film.

Classical Hollywood Continuity's realism comes from its linear structure and clear narrative. The film is carefully constructed with an obvious protagonist(s) who has a goal he (or they) needs to achieve. Particular editing reflects this: shots always focus on characters who are giving us information we need to complete the story. Edits like shot-reverse shot and match-on-action also keep the story going in a straightforward manner. Mise-en-scene helps the film achieve a believable look, with the set of an office looking and functioning as a real office would. Actors also avoid looking at the camera and portraying their characters in a convincing manner. It feels real because the film is presented so unquestioningly that we simply must believe it.

Tokyo Story displays realism in a different way. Not at all a traditional narrative, the story centralizes around an elderly Japanese couple visiting their children in post-WWII Tokyo. The characters have no specific goals; they merely wander about Tokyo, seeing friends and relatives. Like classical Hollywood, the mise-en-scene and acting portray utmost realism. They reflect current trends of the time; everything looks as Tokyo did in the 1950s. The difference lies in the actions of the characters; the visit feels incredibly normal. While classical Hollywood films tend to have plots that border on outrageous, Tokyo Story focuses on a simple tale of family ties - one that feels exactly like family trips we have all taken in the past. The pace is slow and contemplative, allowing the viewer to focus on the characters rather than the plot.

Ultimately, classical Hollywood continuity and Tokyo Story display realism in similar ways: with editing, mise-en-scene, and acting. Yet, Tokyo Story takes realism to the next level in its narrative, which makes all the difference.