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男の哀愁
Movie

男の哀愁

1951 • Unknown

Woke Score
1.2
out of 10

Plot

Overall Series Review

The film "男の哀愁" (A Man's Sorrows) is a 1951 Japanese melodrama centered on the relationships and rivalries of a group of young people in post-war Japan. The narrative follows two college friends, the talented athlete Masao Kojima and the hardworking, poor student Shinpei Ota. Their social circle expands when Ota's part-time job selling cosmetics introduces them to Sumiko Murakawa, a widow who owns a new cosmetics shop/bar, and her clerk. A central conflict involves Kojima's flawed character, as one review notes him being a 'scum-like handsome guy' who is scolded by his friend and gets into a fight over a woman, contrasting with Ota's more grounded nature. Sumiko, the female lead, is an independent businesswoman who is courted by a wealthy patron who appears to respect her boundaries. The drama unfolds through traditional romantic and social conflicts, focusing on character flaws, friendships, and the complexities of love and ambition in a domestic Japanese setting.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

The story is a 1951 Japanese domestic drama that focuses on interpersonal relationships and class distinctions (poor student vs. wealthy patron) within a homogenous Japanese cast. The narrative does not employ the intersectional lens of Western media, nor does it address race, vilify 'whiteness,' or engage in 'race-swapping.' Character conflicts are based on individual merit and romantic rivalry, aligning with a universal meritocracy perspective.

Oikophobia1/10

The film is set in and about domestic Japanese society in the post-war era. The plot is focused on personal drama, romance, and friendship. There is no evidence of hostility toward Western civilization, the demonization of ancestors, or the framing of Japanese (home) culture as fundamentally corrupt or racist. The core focus is on internal social and moral challenges, which respects the sacrifices and institutions of the culture.

Feminism2/10

The gender dynamics are traditional but feature an independent female lead, Sumiko, who is a widowed owner of a small business. Her financial support by a male patron is a conventional dramatic element, not a 'Girl Boss' narrative. The male lead, Kojima, is portrayed as deeply flawed, a 'scum-like' figure who faces consequences for his actions, a common trope in classic melodrama, not a systematic emasculation of all men. Motherhood or anti-natalism is not a central theme, reflecting a complementary and vital perspective with slight dramatic complexity.

LGBTQ+1/10

The narrative centers entirely on traditional romantic pairings and rivalries involving male-female relationships. There is no presence of alternative sexualities, deconstruction of the nuclear family, or lecturing on gender theory. The structure is normative and sexuality is a private, emotional concern within the context of the romantic drama.

Anti-Theism1/10

The plot is a secular melodrama about love, ambition, and friendship. The film does not contain any religious themes, characters, or theological discussions. The narrative neither relies on faith nor expresses hostility toward religion, especially not Christianity, which is the specific target of the 10/10 category. Morality is derived from social and personal ethics rather than a critique of traditional faith.