Passing Fancy (1933): Plot, Cast & Where to Watch

Name: Passing Fancy
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Released: 1933
Duration: 101 min
Cast: Takeshi Sakamoto, Tomio Aoki, Nobuko Fushimi, Den Obinata, Chōko Iida

What Passing Fancy Is About

In the Tokyo of the Depression years Kihachi works as a day labourer at a brewery and lives alone with his small son. One day he comes across a young woman who has nowhere to stay, takes a liking to her, and talks a bar owner he knows into taking her in. Kihachi cannot read or write; his son is cleverer than he is and tells him so. One of Yasujirō Ozu's silent-era films. The telling makes Kihachi both comic and likeable; the man means well but keeps doing the wrong thing. Takeshi Sakamoto takes the lead, with Tomio Aoki as his son. Ozu has not yet moved into the calm manner of his later work here; comedy and poverty sit side by side and by the end the film ties the two together.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Passing Fancy about?

In the Tokyo of the Depression years Kihachi works as a day labourer at a brewery and lives alone with his small son. One day he comes across a young woman who has nowhere to stay, takes a liking to her, and talks a bar owner he knows into taking her in.

Where can I watch Passing Fancy?

Passing Fancy is available to watch on digital platforms such as Criterion Channel. Current rent and buy options are listed in the "Where to Watch" section on this page.

How long is Passing Fancy?

Passing Fancy runs for 101 minutes (1h 41m).

When did Passing Fancy come out?

Passing Fancy was released in 1933.

Who directed Passing Fancy?

Passing Fancy was directed by Yasujirō Ozu.

Who stars in Passing Fancy?

Passing Fancy stars Takeshi Sakamoto, Tomio Aoki, Nobuko Fushimi, Den Obinata.

What is Passing Fancy's rating?

Passing Fancy holds 7.2/10 on IMDb and 6.6/10 on TMDB. Its Pulse Score is 70 out of 100.