This Happy Life Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: May 18, 2026
Movie Overview: This Happy Life
| Movie | This Happy Life |
| Release Year | 1944 |
| Director | Mikio Naruse |
| Genre | Comedy / Drama |
| Runtime | 80 minutes (1h 20m) |
| Language | JA |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is This Happy Life (1944) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 6.3/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Comedy.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in This Happy Life are led by Kingorō Yanagiya . The supporting cast, including Hisako Yamane and Meiko Nakamura , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While This Happy Life does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Comedy films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, This Happy Life has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.
- Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
- Some predictable plot developments
- May not appeal to audiences outside the Comedy fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: This Happy Life
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1944, This Happy Life is a Comedy, Drama film directed by Mikio Naruse, written by Toshio Yasumi. The narrative brings laughter through sharp writing and comedic timing, providing amusement while touching on deeper societal themes. It provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Kingorō Yanagiya.
Ending Explained: This Happy Life
This Happy Life Ending Explained: A small community in wartime Japan learn how to make do with less. Directed by Mikio Naruse, this 1944 comedy film stars Kingorō Yanagiya, alongside Hisako Yamane, Meiko Nakamura, Entatsu Yokoyama. With a 6.3/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of This Happy Life?
A small community in wartime Japan learn how to make do with less.
How Does Kingorō Yanagiya's Story End?
- Kingorō Yanagiya: Kingorō Yanagiya's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Hisako Yamane: Hisako Yamane's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Meiko Nakamura: Meiko Nakamura's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of This Happy Life Mean?
This Happy Life's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Kingorō Yanagiya may feel rushed. Mikio Naruse's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.
This Happy Life Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
Is This Happy Life Based on a True Story?
No, This Happy Life is a work of fiction. While the comedy, drama film directed by Mikio Naruse and starring Kingorō Yanagiya may incorporate realistic themes, the characters and plot are original creations.
Who Should Watch This Happy Life?
Age Advisory: Rated Not Rated.
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Comedy films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Kingorō Yanagiya or the director
- Want some laughs and light entertainment
At just 80 minutes, it's a quick watch.
Where to Watch This Happy Life Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoThis Happy Life Parents Guide & Age Rating
1944 AdvisoryWondering about This Happy Life age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of This Happy Life (1944) is 80 minutes (1h 20m). Directed by Mikio Naruse, the film runs for 80 minutes in its complete theatrical version.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.3/10, and global performance metrics, This Happy Life is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1944 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is This Happy Life worth watching?
This Happy Life is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Comedy movies. It has a verified rating of 6.3/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find This Happy Life parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for This Happy Life identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the runtime of This Happy Life (1944)?
The runtime of This Happy Life (1944) is 80 minutes (approximately 1h 20m).
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
