It is perhaps fitting that Mikio Naruse‘s “Wife” was released the same year as his feature “Husband and Wife”. Besides the obvious similarity in title, both works can be considered thematic companion pieces in the sense the latter is building upon the story and themes of the other. However, “Wife” is considerably bleaker than its predecessor, not only due to its view on married life, but also its perspective on class and how it defines the happiness of the individual as well as the couple itself. Apart from its aforementioned thematic aspects, “Wife” is also yet another proof of Naruse’s talent to explore dynamics and conflicts with the use of space, silences and atmosphere.
Sincerity is screening at Japan Society as part of the Mikio Naruse: The World Betrays Us program
Toichi (Ken Uehara) and Mineko (Mieko Takamine) have been married for ten years. However, their economic situation has taken a toll on their relationship and also their affection for one another. Even though they have rented out the apartments above theirs to another couple and a struggling art student, they barely get by, with Mineko having to rely on small jobs such as knitting to make a little money on the side. When the Matsuyamas, their tenants, have a big fight, resulting in one of them moving out, it sets the stage for Toichi and Mineko finally having to come to terms with their own differences.
While Mineko complains about her husband not spending more time with her, Toichi is discontent with her refusal to have children. When he falls for Fusaku (Yatsuko Tanami), a colleague from work, Toichi senses an opportunity to perhaps start over again and fulfill his dreams of having a family. However, since Mineko notices something is wrong with her husband and suspects he might be having an affair, she becomes frustrated and decides to confront him.
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Similar to “Husband and Wife”, the melodrama of “Wife” carries much deeper meaning. Essentially, as the movie starts we are already thrown into what is the final act of an emotional turmoil in the two main characters. The voice-over introduces us, perhaps a bit clumsily, to their frustrations, fears and thoughts about the other person, which started with the rise in living costs and the resulting need to earn more money. Ken Uehara plays Toichi as a stone-faced man, who has accepted his wife’s contempt with a certain level of resignation. Moments, such as his face upon seeing the contents of the bento box Mineko has prepared for him, speak volumes about his growing exhaustion with a no longer happy relationship, which inevitably drives him towards his colleague. Since he is denied financial freedom, he seeks emotional fulfillment, even though this new relationship may result in a similar level of dissatisfaction in the future.
On the other hand, Mieko Takamine as Mineko is much tougher than other, similar characters in Naruse’s works. In comparison to Yoko Sugi’s character in “Husband and Wife”, for example, her character is marked by the disappointments, the silent defeats and the loneliness of the past years. It is quite telling that the aforementioned voice-over at the beginning is the most honest these two will be about their level of frustration, which cannot be said for their real conversation, until it is too late, of course. However, her and her husband’s desired freedom ironically emphasizes their overall muddled situation since “society won’t allow it” and while their affection may be gone, their economic reliance on the other is still there. Interestingly, the art student, played by Rentaro Mikuni, is the sole character who seems to enjoy the freedom those around him are craving for, perhaps because he has long abandoned certain ideals and economic stability.
“Wife” is yet another thought-provoking relationship drama directed by Mikio Naruse. Supported by a great cast, he shows how economic hardships and social norms slowly take the better of people’s feelings for one another and perhaps even result in the deterioration of emotional connections.
