Late Spring
Noriko is 27 years old and is still living with her father Somiya, a widower. Noriko just recovered from an illness she developed in the war, and now the important question pops up: when will Noriko start thinking about marriage? Everybody who is important in her life tries to talk her into it: her father, her aunt, a girlfriend. But Noriko doesn't want to get married, she seems extremely happy with her life. She wants to stay with her father to take care of him. After all, she knows best of his manners and peculiarities. But Noriko's aunt doesn't want to give up. She arranges a partner for her and thinks of a plan that will convince Noriko her father can be left alone.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Late Spring (1949) showcases meticulously timed dramatic framework, characteristic of Yasujirō Ozu's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 48 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Noriko Somiya
Shukichi Somiya
Masa Taguchi
Aya Kitagawa
Hattori
Mrs. Miwa
Main Cast & Characters
Noriko Somiya
Played by Setsuko Hara
A devoted 27-year-old daughter who cares for her widowed father and resists the idea of marriage, fearing it will leave him alone.
Shukichi Somiya
Played by Chishu Ryu
A university professor and widower who loves his daughter deeply but believes she must marry for her own happiness, even at the cost of his loneliness.
Masa Taguchi
Played by Haruko Sugimura
Shukichi's sister who arranges a marriage prospect for Noriko and encourages her to accept, representing traditional family expectations.
Aya Kitagawa
Played by Yumeji Tsukioka
Noriko's modern, divorced friend who offers a contrasting perspective on marriage and independence.
Hattori
Played by Jun Usami
Shukichi's young assistant and former suitor possibility for Noriko, who becomes engaged to another woman.
Mrs. Miwa
Played by Kuniko Miyake
A widow whom Noriko suspects her father may marry, representing the threat of replacement in Noriko's mind.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Noriko and her widowed father Shukichi live in quiet domestic harmony in Kamakura. She cares for him devotedly, attending to his needs as his assistant and companion. Their peaceful routine represents a seemingly perfect balance.. Of particular interest, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when Aunt Masa formally proposes a marriage match for Noriko with a young man named Satake. Noriko resists, insisting she is happy as she is, but the seed of disruption to her peaceful existence has been planted.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Noriko reluctantly agrees to at least consider the marriage proposal and meet the prospective groom, crossing the threshold from complete refusal to engagement with the possibility of leaving her father., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat During the Noh theater performance, Noriko sees Mrs. Miwa, a widow her father's age, and suddenly believes her father may remarry. Her expression darkens with jealousy and betrayal - a false defeat that shifts her entire worldview., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 81 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Shukichi tells Noriko he has decided to remarry Mrs. Miwa after Noriko's wedding. Noriko is devastated - her worst fear confirmed. The comfortable world she knew is dying; her role as her father's caretaker is ending forever., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 86 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. During their trip to Kyoto together, Noriko finally accepts her marriage with grace. In an intimate conversation, she tells her father she now understands - she will marry and be happy, releasing her attachment to the past., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Late Spring's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Late Spring against these established plot points, we can identify how Yasujirō Ozu utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Late Spring within the comedy genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Noriko and her widowed father Shukichi live in quiet domestic harmony in Kamakura. She cares for him devotedly, attending to his needs as his assistant and companion. Their peaceful routine represents a seemingly perfect balance.
Theme
Aunt Masa remarks that Noriko is already 27 and should be married, suggesting that clinging to the comfortable present prevents natural growth. The theme is stated: happiness sometimes requires painful separation.
Worldbuilding
The Somiya household routines are established. Noriko bikes to the market, prepares meals, and assists her professor father. We meet Aunt Masa and learn of Noriko's contentment with her unmarried life caring for her father.
Disruption
Aunt Masa formally proposes a marriage match for Noriko with a young man named Satake. Noriko resists, insisting she is happy as she is, but the seed of disruption to her peaceful existence has been planted.
Resistance
Noriko debates with herself and others about marriage. She visits her married friend Aya, who is unhappily divorced. The family and society pressure Noriko while she resists, clinging to her comfortable life with her father.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Noriko reluctantly agrees to at least consider the marriage proposal and meet the prospective groom, crossing the threshold from complete refusal to engagement with the possibility of leaving her father.
Mirror World
Noriko's relationship with her father's assistant Hattori deepens as a mirror to what marriage could offer. Meanwhile, her divorced friend Aya represents an alternative path, showing both the risks and freedoms of marriage.
Premise
Noriko navigates the tension between her devotion to her father and societal expectations of marriage. She spends precious moments with Shukichi, attending a Noh performance together, while quietly resisting the inevitable change.
Midpoint
During the Noh theater performance, Noriko sees Mrs. Miwa, a widow her father's age, and suddenly believes her father may remarry. Her expression darkens with jealousy and betrayal - a false defeat that shifts her entire worldview.
Opposition
Noriko's jealousy about Mrs. Miwa poisons her relationship with her father. She becomes cold and distant, torn between resentment and guilt. Her resistance to marriage intensifies even as pressure from Aunt Masa increases.
Collapse
Shukichi tells Noriko he has decided to remarry Mrs. Miwa after Noriko's wedding. Noriko is devastated - her worst fear confirmed. The comfortable world she knew is dying; her role as her father's caretaker is ending forever.
Crisis
Noriko processes her grief and guilt. She realizes her selfishness in wanting to keep her father to herself. The emotional darkness of facing true separation weighs upon her as she prepares for her final days at home.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
During their trip to Kyoto together, Noriko finally accepts her marriage with grace. In an intimate conversation, she tells her father she now understands - she will marry and be happy, releasing her attachment to the past.
Synthesis
The wedding preparations unfold. Noriko, radiant in her bridal kimono, thanks her father for everything. The ceremony takes place. Shukichi gives away his daughter, completing the sacrifice both have made for each other's happiness.
Transformation
Shukichi returns home alone. He sits in the empty house, slowly peeling an apple - the same gesture Noriko once made. He pauses, overcome. The apple drops. He bows his head in profound solitude. Love required letting go.