LOVE FOR AN IDIOT - Dir. Dir. Yasuzo Masumura (1967)
I'm a big fan of Masumura and this film doesn't disappoint. It's the age old tale of a dour older man who becomes infatuated to the point of obsession over a young and uninhibited girl as he attempts in vain to mold her into his "ideal" woman. Based on a novel by Junichiro Tanizaki but one can also see the influence of Pygmalion & the French New Wave at work as well. It's essentially a comedy about the battle of the sexes & as you can imagine, this battle ends up rather one sided. Michiyo Yasuda nee Michiyo Ohkusu as the lead actress is superb as the uncouth young gal who uses her sexy wiles & charm to placate her older husband into giving in to her demands. She is especially willingly to show off her nubile body at a whim during this movie which is another plus. Fans of chambara will probably recognize her from her past appearances in Zatoichi and LW&C episodes. I remember her as the one eyed & one armed swordswoman O'Kin in Lady Sazen and the Drenched Swallow Sword which was another gem of a movie. She's in her mid 60s now and still acting today!
I'm a big fan of Masumura and this film doesn't disappoint. It's the age old tale of a dour older man who becomes infatuated to the point of obsession over a young and uninhibited girl as he attempts in vain to mold her into his "ideal" woman. Based on a novel by Junichiro Tanizaki but one can also see the influence of Pygmalion & the French New Wave at work as well. It's essentially a comedy about the battle of the sexes & as you can imagine, this battle ends up rather one sided. Michiyo Yasuda nee Michiyo Ohkusu as the lead actress is superb as the uncouth young gal who uses her sexy wiles & charm to placate her older husband into giving in to her demands. She is especially willingly to show off her nubile body at a whim during this movie which is another plus. Fans of chambara will probably recognize her from her past appearances in Zatoichi and LW&C episodes. I remember her as the one eyed & one armed swordswoman O'Kin in Lady Sazen and the Drenched Swallow Sword which was another gem of a movie. She's in her mid 60s now and still acting today!
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