Being Two Isn't Easy

Being Two Isn't Easy

1962 · 88 min · ★ 6.9 · Drama, Comedy

The days leading up to a toddler's second birthday are seen alternately from the child's point of view as well as that of his parents.

Directed by Kon Ichikawa · Written by Natto Wada

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Criterion Channel

Cast

Make it a double feature

4h 18m together

Being Two Isn't Easy

Tokyo Olympiad

Both from Kon Ichikawa.

More from Kon IchikawaSee all →

Lonely HeartLonely Heart · 1981
Lonely Heart
★ 8.31981
MovieCrimeDrama
A police procedural surrounding murder at a bookstore and the private lives of the cops trying to solve the case.
Kogarashi MonjiroKogarashi Monjiro · 1972
Kogarashi Monjiro
★ 8.01972
SeriesAction & AdventureDrama
Monjiro was born into a poor farm family in Mikazuki Village, Nitta County, Ueshu, and abandoned his hometown when he was 10 years old. He has been traveling aimlessly with a long toothpick in his mouth. Monjiro avoided getting involved in anything, but wherever he went, he ended up getting involved in incidents
The Burmese HarpThe Burmese Harp · 1956
The Burmese Harp
★ 7.81956
MovieDramaWar
In Burma during the closing days of WWII, a Japanese soldier separated from his unit disguises himself as a Buddhist monk to escape imprisonment as a POW.
Tokyo OlympiadTokyo Olympiad · 1965
Tokyo Olympiad
★ 7.71965
MovieDocumentary
This impressionistic portrait of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics pays as much attention to the crowds and workers as it does to the actual competitive events. Highlights include an epic pole-vaulting match between West Germany and America, and the final marathon race through Tokyo's streets. Two athletes are highlighted: Ethiopian marathon runner Abebe Bikila, who receives his second gold medal, and runner Ahamed Isa from Chad, representing a country younger than he is.
Fires on the PlainFires on the Plain · 1959
Fires on the Plain
★ 7.61959
MovieDramaWar
In the closing days of WWII, a Japanese soldier afflicted with tuberculosis is abandoned by his company and left to wander the Philippine island of Leyte.
Queen BeeQueen Bee · 1978
Queen Bee
★ 7.61978
MovieMysteryThriller
To solve the mystery of a murder of an old governess which takes place at a wealthy Daidoji family's country estate, family secrets and lies dating back several generations must be sorted out once and for all.
The Magic HourThe Magic Hour · 2008
The Magic Hour
★ 7.52008
MovieComedy
A hustler who gets in trouble with a gang boss in the port town of Sukago agrees to make good with the don by putting him in contact with a mysterious hitman — an assassin the hustler has no idea how to contact. Instead, he hires an actor to play the role, though the thespian has no idea what he's getting into.
The Makioka SistersThe Makioka Sisters · 1983
The Makioka Sisters
★ 7.41983
MovieDramaRomance
This sensuously beautiful film chronicles the activities of four sisters who gather in Kyoto every year to view the cherry blossoms. It paints a vivid portrait of the pre-war lifestyle of the wealthy Makioka family from Osaka, and draws a parallel between their activities and the seasonal variations in Japan.
47 Ronin47 Ronin · 1994
47 Ronin
★ 7.41994
MovieActionDrama
Kon Ichikawa's retelling of the classic true story of Samurai honor. When a young clan lord is forced to commit seppuku (ritual suicide), his loyal followers (now Ronin, masterless Samurai) dedicate their lives to avenging his death.
Dodes'ka-denDodes'ka-den · 1970
Dodes'ka-den
★ 7.11970
MovieDrama
On a Tokyo dump’s shantytown edge, interwoven vignettes follow residents scraping by: a boy who “drives” an imaginary trolley, a homeless father and son designing a dream house, a young woman brutalized at home, drunks, schemers, and saints of small kindnesses. Kurosawa crafts a ragged mosaic of hardship, fantasy, and flickers of grace that keep people moving forward.
Galaxy Express 999: The MovieGalaxy Express 999: The Movie · 1979
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie
★ 6.91979
MovieAdventureAnimation
In the future, one can achieve immortality by obtaining a mechanized body. Orphaned, young Tetsuro hitches a ride on the space train Galaxy Express 999 in the hope of obtaining a cyborg body to avenge his mother's death. Along the way, he meets Maetel, who is the spitting image of his dead mother.
Punishment RoomPunishment Room · 1956
Punishment Room
★ 6.91956
MovieDrama
Shimada is a student of U College. When the college's baseball team wins the day, he and his friend Ito drug two girls they met at the game.
The Inugami FamilyThe Inugami Family · 1976
The Inugami Family
★ 6.81976
MovieHorrorMystery
When a tycoon passes away, he unexpectedly leaves the family fortune to outsider Tamayo on the condition that she marries one of the grandsons, pitting blood against blood.
The 8-Tomb VillageThe 8-Tomb Village · 1996
The 8-Tomb Village
★ 6.81996
MovieMysteryHorror
A band of samurai warriors places a curse on a family fortune thus frustrating the heir 4 centuries later.
Lullaby to KillLullaby to Kill · 1977
Lullaby to Kill
★ 6.61977
MovieMysteryHorror
Kôsuke Kindaichi, a somewhat peculiar private detective, visits a remote town. He meets a police detective and they start to investigate an old unsolved murder. Then some murders happen. Kindaichi must find out about the past in order to reveal who the murderer is.
An Actor's RevengeAn Actor's Revenge · 1963
An Actor's Revenge
★ 6.61963
MovieDrama
In Edo Japan, a kabuki actor seeks revenge against the three men who drove his parents to their deaths years ago.

More Like This

Six-String SamuraiSix-String Samurai · 1998
Six-String Samurai
★ 6.21998
MovieAdventureScience Fiction
In a post-apocalyptic world where the Russians have taken over a nuked USA and Elvis is king of Lost Vegas, Buddy is a '50s rocker and wandering warrior rolled into one, too-cool package. Armed with his six-string in one hand and his sword in the other, Buddy is on his way to Vegas to succeed Elvis as King. Along the way, he saves an orphan who decides to tag along.
Partly CloudyPartly Cloudy · 2009
Partly Cloudy
★ 7.72009
MovieAnimationFamily
Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies from? The answer lies up in the stratosphere, where cloud people sculpt babies from clouds and bring them to life. Gus, a lonely and insecure grey cloud, is a master at creating "dangerous" babies. Crocodiles, porcupines, rams and more - Gus's beloved creations are works of art, but more than a handful for his loyal delivery stork partner, Peck. As Gus's creations become more and more rambunctious, Peck's job gets harder and harder. How will Peck manage to handle both his hazardous cargo and his friend's fiery temperament?
Air DollAir Doll · 2009
Air Doll
★ 6.92009
MovieDramaFantasy
A life-size, inflatable sex doll suddenly comes to life one day. Without her owner knowing, she goes for a walk around town and falls in love with Junichi. She starts to date Junichi and gets a job at the same store where he works. Everything seems to be going perfectly for her until something unexpected happens.
Wood Job!Wood Job! · 2014
Wood Job!
★ 7.42014
MovieDramaComedy
After failing his university entrance exam, Yuki Hirano sets his eyes on the role of a forestry trainee. Setting off for training he doubts his decision many times, but eventually after passing the training course, he is sent to Kamusari Village for a year of work experience - where he becomes assimilated with the beauty of nature and the warm-hearted people of the village.
Destination TokyoDestination Tokyo · 1943
Destination Tokyo
★ 6.91943
MovieWarDrama
During World War II, Captain Cassidy and his crew of submariners are ordered into Tokyo Bay on a secret mission. They are to gather information in advance of the planned bombing of Tokyo. Along the way, the crew learn about each other as they face the enemy and some of them lose their lives.
The Fallen IdolThe Fallen Idol · 1948
The Fallen Idol
★ 7.21948
MovieDramaThriller
Phillipe, the son of an ambassador in London, hero-worships his father's butler Baines. His perception of the man changes when he accidentally discovers the secret that Baines keeps and witnesses the consequences that adults' lies can cause.
TogetherTogether · 2021
Together
★ 5.82021
MovieDramaComedy
A husband and wife are forced to re-evaluate themselves and their relationship through the reality of the Covid-19 lockdown.
Drunken AngelDrunken Angel · 1948
Drunken Angel
★ 7.61948
MovieDrama
In postwar Tokyo, a blunt, alcohol-soaked doctor diagnoses a swaggering young yakuza with tuberculosis, forging an uneasy bond that’s tested when the gangster’s ruthless former boss returns and drags him back toward the swampy underworld he can’t escape.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter