Mr. Thank You

Mr. Thank You is a delightful and deeply empathic drama from 1936, directed by Hiroshi Shimizu and starring Ken Uehara, Ryuji Ishiyama, and Einosuke Naka. Despite being released over 85 years ago, the film’s poignant themes of empathy, community, and societal changes resonate with audiences even today.

At the heart of the film's narrative is Ken Uehara, who plays a kind-hearted bus driver who traverses the hilly terrains of Izu peninsula, transporting both the common people and their individual stories. His character, cheerfully acknowledged as Mr. Thank You, obtains this nickname due to his polite habit of saying "thank you" to every passerby who steps aside for his bus on the narrow mountain roads. Uehara’s nuanced portrayal of a man who becomes a beacon of comfort and care for his passengers is one of the film’s significant highlights.

Ryuji Ishiyama and Einosuke Naka play integral roles in the movie, contributing to the dynamic narrative by representing a slice of the diverse passenger pool aboard Mr. Thank You's bus. Their interactions with other passengers and their nuanced performances provide a vivid portrayal of Japanese society during the era.

Transporting individuals from various walks of life, the bus becomes a melting pot of multiple narratives, each showcasing a piece of the entire societal puzzle. From a mother and daughter duo where the daughter is being sold into servitude in Tokyo to alleviate their devastating poverty, to a sophisticated city-dwelling woman returning home after a series of failed relationships, each passenger has their tale to tell.

These mini-narratives unfold as the bus sways through the picturesque Izu landscape, with the external journey of the passengers paralleling their internal journeys of self-discovery and acceptance. The unfolding narrative offers an exploration of the societal changes taking place in Depression-era Japan, subtly hinting at the economic hardships, gender bias, and contrasting dynamics between rural and urban lifestyles.

Simultaneously, the film also explores a unique love story between Mr. Thank You and a young village girl who often waits by the roadside to catch a glimpse of him during his daily trips. This subplot exudes a tender charm, subtly underlining the sweet innocence of unexpressed love while addressing the intricacies of human emotion and longing.

Mr. Thank You earns its place in cinematic history through its innovative storytelling format and beautifully amalgamated ensemble of characters. Reports of the time state that Shimizu purposely shot the film on-location along the scenic Izu peninsula, having the bus move through real mountain terrains and using a diegetic sound system to enhance the film's authenticity. This approach, somewhat avant-garde for its time, allows the viewers to embark on the bus ride with the characters, thus fully immersing them into the unfolding drama.

But the charm of Mr. Thank You is not just in its narrative richness or cinematic techniques. It shines brightly in its exploration and portrayal of human nature. From compassion and kindness to silent suffering and acceptance, the movie beautifully encapsulates a myriad of emotions that define the human experience. Through his empathic rendering of Mr. Thank You’s character, Hiroshi Shimizu paints an endearing picture of a man who serves as an anchoring point within a community undergoing change, thus creating a character so universal in his appeal that he transcends the barriers of time and geography.

In summary, Mr. Thank You is a masterful cinematic piece that offers an insightful exploration of early 20th century Japanese society within the framework of a heart-rending drama. It presents a journey, both literal and metaphorical, through the changing landscapes of society, emotions, and human resilience. This film, not only through its collectors' eyes but also contemporary viewers', stands as a testament to Shimizu's prowess in using cinematic medium to portray the vibrancy, complexity, and beauty of human life in all its facets.