Lovely, straightforward, simple film from the Tora-san director YOJI  YAMADA about a couple struggling to make a living by transporting rocks in an old boat on its last legs. The beautifully observed story set in and around Seto Inner Sea sees them having to decide whether to repair their boat or give up altogether and move to Onomichi for more modern, industrialized work. From the back of the box, "They have the deepest affection for the piece of land they are attached to and enjoy their simple life there. Rapid industrial development, however, makes it impossible for them to carry on with such a lifestyle. The story extols people's fondness for their native land and at the same time reflects the cruel social reality of 1970s Japan."  There is a wonderful amount of early 70s Japan in this film, the cars, the sounds, the buildings - and Yamada successfully conveys the tangible sadness of the main characters' plight. The great Ozu regular Chishu Ryu has a large role as the grandfather.

Nick Wrigley of Masters of Cinema