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Trailer

Early Summer

1951Movie2 h 5 minNR

Drama
89
ExcellentGoodWatch score
IMDb8.0Metacritic948.0Rotten Tomatoes100%92%

A wholesome, slow-burning drama movie about everyday modern life and family.

Good for family movie night · friends night · teens

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Not for scares, brutality or laughs.

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Story

In postwar Tokyo, Noriko lives with her extended family. Although she enjoys her career and her social life, her more traditional family worries about her single marital status at the advanced age of 28. 40-year-old business associate Takako proposes, Noriko's family press her into accepting, but when her widowed childhood friend Kenkichi returns to the neighborhood, she finds her heart leading in another direction.

Feels like

  • Japanese Family Drama
  • Post-War Japan
  • Coming-of-Age
  • Social Commentary
  • Melancholy Tone
  • Character-Driven
  • Everyday Life
  • Ozu Style

Cast

15 of 15

Crew

Directed by
Yasujirō Ozu
Written by
Yasujirō Ozu, Kōgo Noda
Produced by
Takeshi Yamamoto
Music by
Senji Ito

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

October 3, 1951 · 2 h 5 min · NR

Released
October 3, 1951
Runtime
2 h 5 min
Age rating
NR
Genres
Drama
Original language
Japanese
Also spoken
English
Made in
Japan
Available in
35 countries

Tropes

Arranged Marriage, Bratty Half-Pint, Confirmed Bachelor +6

  • Arranged Marriage
  • Bratty Half-Pint
  • Confirmed Bachelor
  • The Ghost
  • Signature Shot
  • Old Maid
  • Match Cut
  • Slice of Life
  • Japanese Politeness

From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Early Summer?"

Questions about Early Summer

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Early Summer?

HBO Max

In the United States, Early Summer streams on HBO Max. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store. It also streams in 31 other countries.

Is Early Summer worth watching?

89
ExcellentGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 89 (IMDb 8, Rotten Tomatoes 100%, and Metacritic 94). Critics rate it higher (97 out of 100) than audiences (84).

Is Early Summer okay for kids?

NR

Yes: it's rated NR in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

Is Early Summer plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (8 of 10) and dialogue centrality (8 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is Early Summer in English?

JapaneseEnglish

No, it was made in Japanese, with some English.