Being Two Isn't Easy

Being Two Isn't Easy is a 1962 color Japanese comedy film directed by Kon Ichikawa. It was Japan's submission to the 35th Academy Awards for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Style

Ichikawa utilized the screen personas of popular stars Fujiko Yamamoto and Eiji Funakoshi to make the child's independence and frequent endangerment believable. The director contrasts Chiyo's well-coiffed, reactive approach to motherhood by shooting Misako Watanabe as her sister-in-law in a sensuous, intimate manner as she bathes her own newborn.

Cast

Hiro Suzuki as Taro, the baby
Eiji Funakoshi as Goro, the father
Fujiko Yamamoto as Chiyo, the mother
Kumeko Urabe as Ino, grandmother
Misako Watanabe as Setsuko, the aunt
Masako Kyôzuka as Chiyo's sister
Mantarō Ushio as Laundry Man
Kyōko Kishida as Chiyo's Friend
Shirô Ôtsuji as Doctor
Jun Hamamura as Older Doctor
Akira Natsuki as Doctor at Hospital