Lightning

Lightning (1952) is another collaboration between underrated Mikio Naruse and Hideko Takamine. In this film Takamine plays Kiyoko, an unhappy bus tour conductor living with her mother and three other siblings from four separate fathers. She is trying to establish herself as a young adult in life but there are complications at home with her wayward siblings. She is disgusted with their bickering, begging, self pity, and poor life choices. She finally decides to go off on her own and this causes consternation with them and her mother. Naruse's world is often bleak, but there is a moment of hope as Kiyoko connects with her mother but on her terms. Perhaps she can live apart and still help and respect her mother, but from a distance here the wayward ways of her other siblings won't affect her everyday life and she can plan for the future and have hope to marry and have a normal, stable family life-unlike her self-pitying, but wronged mother.