The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (Criterion Collection)

The adoptive son (Shôtarô Hanayagi) of late-18th-century Japan’s leading Kabuki actor (Gonjurô Kawarazaki) strove to follow in his father’s footsteps, with little success. His only constructive feedback and coaching would come from his infant brother’s wet nurse (Kakuo Mori)...and, as their relationship blossomed into a forbidden love, he became determined to make her his wife--and with her help, make his own name on the stage. Kenji Mizoguchi’s tender tale of sacrifice also stars Kôkichi Takada, Tokusaboro Arashi. 143 min. Standard; Soundtrack: Japanese Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; featurette. In Japanese with English subtitles.