Tampopo
Screenplay: Juzo Itami
Minutes: 114
Year: 1985
Score: 8.20
Release: Criterion Collection
I dare you to watch this movie without feeling hungry, and maybe something else too, a couple of other feelings. Juzo Itami makes food both wholesome, funny, exciting, and sexy and wraps it all up in less than two hours. Tampopo is the sort of unconventional film which does not come around too often but when it does you (sorry) HAVE to (again, sorry) load up your (forgive me) plate.
From The Criterion Collection:
The first time I watched Tampopo was in a theater with a bunch of strangers. Before the screening I tried to explain to my wife how excited I was to see it on the big screen. She did not understand and I still can’t explain it. It does not make sense. Try it, explain to someone that you want to watch a movie about a down-on-her-luck noodle-shop owner who has a manic pixie dude come into her life. You can’t, or you can and you are better at this than I am.
Now explain the unrelated paraphilias scene. The yolk, try explaining that.
Tampopo is inexplicably perfect. Somewhat, deep, rapscallions who are deftly charming. A come-from-behind story. Meta-writing. A weird shrimp scene. And food, the glorious food. The cherry (sorry) on top is just how incredibly funny the film is without become a caricature comedy film. I am talking a ‘Tom Hanks’ level of comedy charm.
The sad part is how few people have watched this kooky film due to a language barrier. I will admit that at times it is difficult to keep up with the antics while also reading the subtitles. But I truly wish that everybody has a chance to watch this movie. That is how much I love the film.
Without a doubt Tampopo is an easy nomination for release of the year and can be ordered HERE.
Director: 10 – Cinematography: 10 – Edit: 6 – Parity: 7 – Main performance: 10 – Else performance: 7 – Score: 5 – Sound: 8 – Story: 8 – Script: 9 – Effects: 6 – Design: 8 – Costumes: 9 – Keeps interest: 10 – Lasting: 10