When a Woman Ascends the Stairs (DVD)

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It´s difficult to pinpoint the reason "When a Woman Ascends the Stairs" is so damned powerful. It could easily be mistaken as just another low-budget "woman´s film," a modest and unusually well-acted soap opera, but a soap opera nonetheless. Part of the brilliance is Hideko Takamine´s performance, particularly the way her face communicates a world of emotions with such carefully modulated expression. This is truly great film acting; a stage actor doesn´t get close-ups, after all. As for the rest, chalk it up to a great script by Ryuzo Kikushima and the singular focus of a gifted director who knows exactly what he wants and exactly how to get it. Indeed, Naruse was infamous for not showing his shooting script to anybody else, and for simply doing take after take, with no feedback provided to the actors, until he found what he was looking for.

"When a Woman Ascends the Stairs" is not the fey art flick the title suggests, but a potent and sensitive drama that resonates long after the film ends. Keiko´s bloodless evisceration is so harrowing and violent, I can´t help but think of the similar fate suffered by Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) in Martin Scorsese´s "The Age of Innocence." Marty´s film is brilliant, one of his very best works, but Naruse´s masterpiece is even better.

Video

The film is presented in its original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio. Broken record time yet again. The digitally restored transfer by Criterion is gorgeous. The black and white photography is sharp and clear and… well, you know the drill by now.

Audio

The DVD is presented in Dolby Digital Mono, and is also offered with a Dolby Digital 3.0 Perspecta Audio Track. Optional English subtitles support the Japanese audio.

Extras

Many avid DVD watchers are aware of one basic rule of the industry: if it´s a Japanese film, Donald Richie does the commentary. Fortunately for us, Richie is not just a great film scholar, but also delivers some of the most comprehensive and engrossing commentary tracks of all. Richie´s analysis demonstrates how vital cultural context is to truly understand foreign films.

Unfortunately, Criterion doesn´t offer much else on this fairly modest disc. A short interview with actor Tatsuya Nakadai (13 min.) is the only other substantial feature. A theatrical trailer is also included.

The insert booklet features helpful essays by Phillip Lopate, Catherine Russell and Audie Bock. A brief tribute from leading actress Hideko Takamine rounds out the collection.

Film Value

As far as I know, "When a Woman Ascends the Stairs" is the first Mikio Naruse film released on a Region 1 DVD. I´m sure someone will correct me if I´m wrong. Naruse died in 1969, his work largely unknown outside of Japan. His international reputation grew slowly, but his films still remain difficult to find even on VHS. I wish the DVD had more extra features, but this Criterion release is a great start. Here´s hoping it heralds a fresh wave of Naruse films to hit the digital market.

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