An atmospheric evocation of post war Japan exploring the climate of social and economic change, The Lady Of Musashino tells the story of Michiko (Kinuyo Tanaka), a disillusioned young wife, trapped in a loveless marriage to her translator husband (Masayuki Mori).Starved of any real affection, Michiko turns to her cousin (Akihiko Katayama), only to become entangled in a destructive affair. Ultimately let down by both men, Michiko in her desperation decides to take her fate into her own hands...
Mizoguchi made this film just one year before his masterpiece, The Life of O-Haru. His serene visual style and meticulously detailed mise-en-scene captures the moral decadence and emotional brittleness of Japan's post war society. Exploring the divide between traditional values and a new found personal liberation, Mizoguchi contrasts the pace of life in the countryside with the bustling suburbs of the encroaching city. The superb Kinuyo Tanaka gives another outstanding performance as the self-sacrificing heroine.
