Cinematic Point Of View

Masaki Kobayashi‘s 1953 film ‘Sincere Heart‘ is the story of a teenage boy, Hiroshi, in a middle to upper class family, who has it all. He’s handsome and athletic. He lives in a good home with a nice family. He has a private tutor. He’s happy and carefree. One night a new family moves in across the way. He catches a glimpse of a girl, Fumokio, in her window and he falls in love at first sight.

Hiroshi, played by Akira Ishihama, learns that the Fumiko, played by Hitomi Nozoe, from across the way is gravely sick and needs to go to a Sanitarium to heal but her family can’t afford it. Desperate to help her, he tries to convince his father to loan him the money to pay for it. He won’t tell his father who the money is for, or what it is for, and his father is hesitant to give the money over. Hiroshi decides to strike a bargain with his Dad. He’ll pass the exams he’s been cramming for and if he gets into school his father will hand over the money, no questions asked. Dad agrees.

Will the Hiroshi pass his exams to get the money in time? Will the Hiroshi and Fumiko ever meet? How will falling in love change his life?

There is a very Frank Capra-esque feeling to the entire film. The story is filled with beautiful shots of a small Japanese town during Christmas. Cozy fires. Snow falling on moonlit nights. There’s even a musical moment where the main characters sings a Christmas song out his window! It perfectly captures that dreamy, overwhelming feeling of falling in love as a kid. There is also a sort of madness to young love. You don’t even realize what’s happening. Pure innocence.

Through the course of the film, the Hiroshi never actually meets the girl but simply sees her through his window, longing from afar in his head. He is too shy and, I am guessing that, maybe it’s culturally improper in some way.

And like in a Capra film, there are serious matters running just beneath the shiny surface. As I don’t want to talk about any spoilers, it’s difficult to explain the overall message of the film. I can say I love how Kobayashi takes what looks and feels like a typical Frank Capra-esque story and uses it to demonstrate something deeper about the world we live in. It’s not a spoiler to say that the film demonstrates the luxury of privilege and wealth. How often we can move through our lives unaware or blind to the inequality and suffering around us. I don’t feel like Kobayashi is throwing stones so much as shining a light to open hearts and minds.

Of the several Kobayashi films I’ve watched so far, this is a common theme for him. This particular movie was shot right at the start of his career and it’s amazing to see so much skill he shows right out of the gate. The shot composition and some of the dolly work. The personal turmoil and dramatic tension. It’s just so good.

I really love this movie. It’s one I had never heard of. Having gone from watching Harakiri to this, it really caught me off guard. It’s the perfect time of year to watch this one too. In many ways this is the ultimate Christmas movie. It’s full of love, joy, hope, and heartbreak. The end will leave you thinking. Its Kobayashi’s gift to us all. Open it up.

PS – I would love to talk about the themes and questions asked within this movie in the comments, if anyone wants to chat about it. Just be sure to add a “spoiler alert” to your comment.