023 4 Unlike other viewers , this is my first Takeshi Kitano film . This is far from a family film , though the topic matter is light , and happy , and childlike , there are dark and mature themes that undercurrent the movie . If anything , this film is like a return to innocence . The primary character , a gangster-yakuza type takes under his wing a young boy , w / a promise to deliver him safely to visit his mother on the other side of Japan . What makes the film interesting is the hero is a flawed hero , the first thing he does is spend all the money that was given to him to help pay for thier fare , on the racetrack . . . what results for the rest of the film is a vagabond ' road trip ' journey as he creatively helps them find thier way to the boy's mother and back , using every trick he knows from his criminal / vagabond existence . Along the way , the boy's innocence perhaps reminds himself of something lost a long time ago , and you are along not just on a physical journey , but a spiritual one as well ; as the hero transforms from con-man / reluctant guardian to a true guardian-angel figure for the boy .
Another thing that is lush , is the cinemetography , Almost every other scene seems like an illustration from a book , or a painting . The cenimetography is purposefully wide-scope , and the composition both w / lighting and subject matter often frame the gangster and the boy in still-shots that seem like overlush realistic impressionistic paintings . It's harder to describe w / words , but beleive me , the visual impact of the film is something you rarely experience , and done so , as much as it was done throughout the film . Whereas most movies use these grandiouse shots as sorta expository intros , the director places these shots throughout thier journey and involves the action and dialogue w / in it as well .
Lastly , the music is as much a character , and vivid one as the rest of the live human cast . Apparently this is the same composer who did the musical score for Princess Momonoke , and you'll hear a similiar trademark mixture of both western and uniquely japanese sensibilities . His composition however succeeds in capturing and punctuating the various moods and undercurrents of the film , as if you could hear the spiritplay between the gangster-thug and his ward as they wander on this adventure .
Overall , Kikujiro is unlike any other film I've ever watched , it is spiritual and deepwrought w / meaning but in the uniquely Japanese-zen methodology , where you feel that you've experianced something profound , but it is as enigmatic as a passing breeze . The film on just a non-intellectual level is thoroughly enjoyable , and will leave you in awe , atleast that is my experience .
001 4 Takeshi Beat Kitano got his start as a comedian in Japan , before his movie transformation into the familiar deadeyed killer . Kikujiro shows that he has not forgotten his roots . Here , the two Takeshi's blend in the character of an ex-Yakuza , who may not have a heart of gold , but at least bronze . Together with the gloomiest boy in Japan , they head off in a traditional road movie full of bumbles and discoveries .
Kikujiro is an incredibly sweet and of-kilter film . Quirky , subtly humorous , at times intense and disturbing , at times charming and disarming , Takeshi guides the film across the winding course of its plot , encountering a host of equally odd characters and situations . A woman juggler and her boyfriend the human robot , the fat and skinny bikers and the hippy thief all join in the journey with our odd couple . With each additional cast member , the story takes another unexpected twist .
While a comedy , don't expect any gut-busting laughs . The humor is more bizarre and situational , the laughs are more smirks and good feelings . The pace is slow and patient , taking a long time to build the story and the characters .
The images are beautiful , and the director takes some chances with his camera work that all work out well . Kikujiro is daring in its own way , while remaining heartwarming and affectionate .
An excellent , highly recommended film .
002 4 Don't remember how I put this on my Netflix list , but I always like watching Japanese films beyond the normal J-horror / yakuza / martial arts / anime realm , ' cause it gives you somewhat of a glimpse into everyday Japanese life . This isn't exactly normal , more of a very whimsical roadtrip movie with a very Wes Anderson kinda feel . It's about a very ill-behaved guy taking a very shy boy on a trip to see his mom , and that's essentially a thin framework for a very fluffy , episodic series of encounters with all sorts of eccentrics , sweet-natured bikers and surly hotel managers . I don't know what kind of message this sends for Japanese kids , though - if you set out on the road , you will most likely not meet nice guys who will camp out and play games , put on shows and dress in silly costumes to make you laugh . Still , it's charming nonetheless , especially as you watch this shy , quiet boy come out of his shell thanks to the company and attention of his new friends . Beautiful piano score by Joe Hisashi , who , if I'm not mistaken , also did the music for Spirited Away . 3.5 / 5 .
003 4 I have seen Brother , which included Takeshi Kitano , and I loved him in that film . But after renting this movie from Blockbuster , I will definitely buy it to have as part of my Japanese movie collection .
Takeshi ( Kikujiro ) played a brilliant role as a man of all sorts of emotions and actions which made me feel bad for him at times , and for others in different moments . The connection between him and the little boy ( Masao ) was very real and touching . The plot , though at times a little slow , was still cute and sentimental . The music , the acting , the story , the whole package was amazing when I decided to see it for the first and third time . I suggest this film to any person who enjoys a nice story without minding the subtitles . My little brother who hates subtitles also fell in love with the film !
004 4 Takeshi Kitano , of Sonatine and Violent Cop fame , acts like a mild ( er ) middle aged thug man who befriends a young boy , in this touching , sad , and funny little movie set in present-day Japan .
A little boy , who looks like he is maybe 7 years old , takes off on foot to search for his mother . He lives with his grandmother , who tells him his mother is far away , and working very hard for him . Soon after he leaves with the house , he runs into Kikujiro , whom he just calls mister .
Mister is probably a low level thug in some gangster group . Anyway , he's not too keen on kids , but his girlfriend sees that the boy takes off with mister , and they start across the country to find the boy's mother .
At times this movie is very sad . The little boy has a timeless quality that many a child has evoked in the cinema , from 400 Blows to My Life as a Dog . When he acts sad , he seems to be so genuinely sad that when he finally does smile , you're that much happier for him . Kitano doesn't know how to handle life with a kid , at first , but being around him seems to lighten the old boy up . Still , he plays the stone faced unemotional thug through the movie , though he ( almost ) doesn't beat anyone up .
Later , mister and the kid encounter a few oddball characters . They all do what they can to cheer the kid up . This is a great movie . I wouldn't recommend it for children ( children wouldn't like much of it anyway , the humor is so lowkey ) , but I came to this movie with moderate expectations , and they were exceeded .
Takeshi Kitano stepped outside the roles that butter his bread , and helped to make this great movie KIKIJURO .
Big ups to Takeshi Kitano .
More ups to Yusuke Sekiguchi for his portrayal of the kid .
ken32
005 4 This review is from :
Kikujiro ( DVD )
For fans of other Takeshi Kitano movies : be aware ; this movie is quite different from his tough , violent , or crude films . Kikujiro is a very serene movie with excellent direction and beautiful cinematography . The music is playful and the story is delightful . I wished more information was given about the two main characters but it wasn't necessary for the overall pace . It is often humorous , and sometimes sad but fun to watch if you enjoy film with a slice of life feel .
006 4 For fans of other Takeshi Kitano movies : be aware ; this movie is quite different from his tough , violent , or crude films . Kikujiro is a very serene movie with excellent direction and beautiful cinematography . The music is playful and the story is delightful . I wished more information was given about the two main characters but it wasn't necessary for the overall pace . It is often humorous , and sometimes sad but fun to watch if you enjoy film with a slice of life feel .
007 4 Okay , for those of you who know Takeshi Kitano , you'll know that most or all of his films are a must see . He usually does the action genre and does it well . But with Kikujiro ( his character ) , the story is more of a Land of Oz kind of adventure , but in the real world . Definitely a family flick with a lot of comedy and sad bits . You'll need a hanky . * sniff *
Kikujiro needs to be owned , it's just one of those damn movies that leave you feeling that you need to stop watching movies and get a job .
008 4 This review is from :
Kikujiro ( DVD )
. . . cinema . Words at first fail me when I try to describe the wonder that is this film . Even if you are one who has a hard time reading the text in a subtitled film you will probably enjoy it . That is one of the beauties of this film ; it goes well beyond the boundaries of the culture and language that are contained within . It's a movie that touches the heart primarily through its imagery . I found myself at times not even reading the subtitles because I inherently knew what was happening on the screen . The actors don't just act , when Masao ( the young boy featured on the cover ) is sad you are sad . A heartless human is one who doesn't come away affected in some way by this brilliant work .
009 4 . . . cinema . Words at first fail me when I try to describe the wonder that is this film . Even if you are one who has a hard time reading the text in a subtitled film you will probably enjoy it . That is one of the beauties of this film ; it goes well beyond the boundaries of the culture and language that are contained within . It's a movie that touches the heart primarily through its imagery . I found myself at times not even reading the subtitles because I inherently knew what was happening on the screen . The actors don't just act , when Masao ( the young boy featured on the cover ) is sad you are sad . A heartless human is one who doesn't come away affected in some way by this brilliant work .
010 4 Those of you who are used to Takeshi Kitano movies may be in for a surprise with this one . The first time I watched this movie I was engulfed in a waterfall of emotions from falling off my couch comedy to eye watering sadness . This movie gives the audience a diffrent look at Japans infamous Yakusa . We can come to understand the circumstance that may lead a child to grow up and become a member of the Yakusa . With out giving away the movie I ask you all to pay careful attention to the similarities between the two main characters in this movie as this may clue you in to the deeper meaning of this movie . A must see . . . absolutely wonderful .
011 4 With the deaths of Akira Kurosawa and Juzo Itami , I wondered if there was anybody who could take their place . The answer came in the form of Takeshi Kitano's 1999 release , Kikujiro . Funny , tender , heartbreaking , full of hope are a few adjectives I'd use to describe this brilliant movie .
The story involves Masao , a sad-faced Tokyo boy who lives with his grandmother . With his best friend going away to the sea , he only has a long lonely summer ahead of him .
After finding a snap of his mother , along with an address in Toyohashi , Masao wants to go visit her . Thanks to a married couple who are friends of his grandmother , he gets his wish . As the woman says , Someone must accompany you .
The next shot shows exactly who that somebody is ; it is her husband , Kikujiro , and he's not too thrilled . Kikujiro , played by Takeshi Kitano , is an unemployed former small-time yakuza , as evidenced by a horrifying tattoo on his back . He is selfish , lacking in common sense , financially irresponsible , bullying and insulting people into getting his own way .
Poor Masao has to suffer through Kikujiro's bullying , not only toward him but to those they encounter . Kikujiro gambles away all their travelling money at the bike races . His reactions and outbursts after each race result are simply funny .
A constant problem is getting a ride to Toyohashi , and Kitano injects a comic element in their hapless attempts . Kikujiro even bullies a hotel desk attendant to abandon his duties and drive them , which he does to a truck stop . There , he picks a fight with a trucker disgruntled by his abruptness . Kikujiro not only smashes his driver's side truck window with a rock but beats him with a stick ( ! ) Kikujiro's attempts to finagle a ride playing a blind man come to naught . One driver refuses , to which Kikujiro insults him and in the process , blows his cover . The other driver simply hits him without stopping . Another time , they try to get a car by placing a nail in the middle of the road . The car's tire blows out and careens down an embankment , to which the pair leg it down the highway . The next scene , they are in a car , to which Masao tells his guardian how better it is to simply ask , to which Kikujiro says , Shut up , smartass .
Of the strangers whom they encounter , the Travelling Man , an idealistic poet who travels across Japan singing songs and reading poetry , is the nicest of the bunch , and not only is it he who takes them to Toyohashi but also suggests they camp at a beach for a few days .
Second place goes to a teenage girl , who persuades her boyfriend to take the pair at least partway . She masterfully juggles oranges and has her boyfriend imitate a coin-op toy that does a hip-hop dance . Kitano adds mechanical sound effects during his performance .
The scene where Masao and Kikujiro reach Toyohashi and discover what has happened to Masao's mother is simply heart wrenching . Not as heartbreaking is when Kikujiro goes to where his own mother resides , but it is the first scene where Kikujiro softens towards the boy . When he suggests they go back home , Masao holds his hand for the first time .
Kikujiro's bullying ways finally catch up to him at a fair , where the local yakuza beat him up . He apologizes to Masao for causing trouble , and from here , his transformation is complete .
Two bikers who join Masao , Kikujiro , and the Travelling Man at the beach , are actually pussycats , despite the Nazi helmets worn by the pair and the Danzig III T-shirt worn by the fat biker . Kikujiro , having met them earlier after finding out about Masao's mother , bullies the fat one into giving him an angel bell charm . He gives the said charm to Masao as a consolation gift and tells him that an angel will come if he rings the bell . Masao rings the bell , to no avail . Well , at least for a while , anyway .
The few days spent at the beach to entertain Masao form the best moments of the movie . There , Kikujiro displays his talent as a promoter or show organizer . His gruffness and insults return at times , but overall , he has fun . Among his best devised schemes involve placing a hollowed watermelon rind over the fat biker and having Masao strike him on the head . Another is the Naked Statues game , a strip version of America's Green Light / Red Light . The skinnier biker , nicknamed Baldy , really enjoys himself , playing an Indian , an octopus man , and a space alien . The fat biker , Fatso , has the misfortune of falling into a pit used by farmers for depositing their animal waste for future fertilizer . The others laugh and run away from their smelly companion .
One of the most interesting things about foreign movies is how the translations come across . Two scenes in particular : when the pervert , in response to Kikujiro's question of what happens after he pulls down his pants , the subtitles say You know . I was born in Japan and understand some Japanese . What the pervert actually said was I ( . . . ) it . The subtitles as presented is more tasteful and diplomatic .
Joe Hisashi's wonderful piano score is simply beautiful , and some parts really softened me .
Masao discovers his guardian's name until the final scene , cementing the special bond formed during their travels together .
If Kikujiro is a sign of the new Takeshi Kitano , let's have more of it !
012 4 In the title role of this highly original 1999 road movie , Beat Takeshi - with his twitching eye and bow-legged shuffle - looks and acts like a cross between Mickey Rourke and Harvey Keitel with a heavy dose of Walter Matthau's sourpuss demeanor ( circa The Bad News Bears ) for good measure . He creates a truly memorable character - cynically profane , unapologetically insulting , childishly manipulative and somehow likeable . As the director and screenwriter of said film , Takeshi Kitano - the same guy - has fashioned something quite unique from a tired premise - a boy's search for his mother and the gruff man who begrudgingly helps find her . What could have been a predictable and sentimental wallow , especially with the indiscriminate use of angels as a pervasive symbol , is instead an idiosyncratic , emotionally adroit film that sometimes simmers on the cusp of violence .
Yet it becomes ultimately affecting almost in spite of itself . In fact , Kitano does such a resolutely offbeat job that at certain times , the film reminds me of the narrative ellipses and low steady shots that were the trademark of Yasujiro Ozu's home dramas , intermingled with a surprisingly intense Quentin Tarantino-like , in-your-face edginess . The protagonist of the film is really the latch-key nine-year old , Masao , who is on a quest to find the mother whom his grandmother says is away working . With his sad eyes and cherubic face , Yusuke Sekiguchi is perfectly cast as Masao providing the moral compass for the story . Whether he is running with his arms flailing or forlornly playing soccer by himself , he is poignant without being saccharine and completely natural . It is Masao's scrapbook that provides the framework for the film lending each chapter a descriptive title . Every chapter has a distinct character that is , in various turns , playful , hilarious , disturbing , surreal and heartbreaking . Case in point : Kitano is not afraid to use a child molester as first an uncomfortable source of black humor and then as the subject of Masao's nightmare . My favorite scenes come toward the end when Kikujiro organizes a motley crew of misfits to play games with Masao and have them masquerade as Indians , aliens , marine life and even watermelons . The variety in tone between chapters makes for unexpected tonal shifts , but somehow it works and adds to the greater context of the story .
That Kitano is able to manage a consistent filmmaking style with a strong visual sense is a credit to the talent behind the camera - not only Kitano's direction , script and film editing but also his artwork showcased throughout the movie , Katsumi Yanagishima's sharply rendered cinematography and Joe Hisaishi's evocative Windham Hill-esque score . There are some funny sideline performances from Gidayu Great and Rakkyo Ide as Fatso and Baldy , two bikers who turn out to be the Abbott and Costello of soft-hearted slackers ; Nezumi Mamura as a free-spirited drifter ; Fumie Hosokawa as a relentlessly perky girl with a talent for juggling ; and in the opening sequence , Kayoko Kishimoto as Kikujiro's take-no-prisoners wife . Kitano , however , elicits the most laughs if only for the film's central conceit that he gets away with his infantile gangster behavior . One would think the story would climax when Masao comes upon his mother , but Kitano confounds expectations with every new scene . The DVD really has no extras other than a couple of trailers not related to the film ( not coincidentally , one is for Walter Salles ' Central Station which has a similar story structure ) . I know this film has its detractors , especially among fans of Kitano's bloodier work , but I find it intriguingly ambiguous and thoroughly enjoyable .
013 4 Kikujiro is a the kind of film that you wouldn't expect to see coming from a man who did Violent Cop , Sonatine , and Hana-Bi ( Fireworks ) It's because of this point that the movie is so extremely refreshing . The story may not be the most original , but the execution of it all gives it life .
A combination of the sentimentality of Hana-Bi ( Fireworks ) and the just-plain-weird humor of Sonatine is the best way to describe this comedy-drama . Just like in his previous films , Kikujiro has an undertone of sadness throughout the entire movie , even during the funniest scenes . That brings me to another high-point of the movie : Beat Takeshi . This was only the second Kitano film I've seen after the U.S . cut of Brother . After watching the characters he played in both movies , it was hard to realize that they were being played by the same person . His humor and wit are so genuine , and the fact that he doesn't rely on cheap tactics to get laughs like U.S . humor gives this movie one more star itself .
If you want a movie so original in execution and is genuine in almost every sense , then you MUST pick up Kikujiro . It's appeal is international .
014 4 This review is from :
Kikujiro ( DVD )
It's amazing to me to see that other folks did not ' get ' this movie . It's really too bad that some don't have the patience to let the characters play out and unfold . The warmth and compassion of this movie are absolutely beautiful , the comic scenes are ' laugh out loud ' funny and is the best movie I've seen in a very long time .
015 4 It's amazing to me to see that other folks did not ' get ' this movie . It's really too bad that some don't have the patience to let the characters play out and unfold . The warmth and compassion of this movie are absolutely beautiful , the comic scenes are ' laugh out loud ' funny and is the best movie I've seen in a very long time .
016 4 This was funny funny funny ! ! Hard to believe that such a film was made by director known in the states for more hard-hitting action films . For some , it will seem a little long and a tad slow , however , I thought the dialog alone negated those faults . It has a sort of Life is Beautiful feel to it and Kitano tries to paint his scenes rather than just film them . Not everyone's cup of tea but they should at least take a sip ! !
017 4 This is the perfect example that shows how a movie can be exceptional without any action or excitement . For the narrow-minded movie-viewer , Kikujiro is just another boring foreign movie . As for the ones that are open , this film shows how kind some people can be even when things around them are harsh . One of the best things about Kikujiro is the music . At certain times , it can have an upbeat and happy tempo . When it is necessary , the music expresses a sense of being down , but still going on . Takeshi Kitano's character is a bad example for a father figure , but he learns to care for the boy that he guides . Nothing of significance is accomplished . However , that does not matter . Kikujiro is simply about life and the adventures we can have . That is why this film is one of my favorites that I can never get tired of .
018 4 This is such a simple movie it will touch your heart directly . You'll probably end up with tears in your eyes and a silly smile . This is made of small moments that don't need to contribute to a bigger story because they're enough by themselfs , still if you think of this movie as a whole it fits rather well together and shows a reality told in a poet's smile .
019 4 I wish they made more movies like this . In summary , Kikujiro is the story of a small boy , Masao who is in search of his mother . He lives in the city with his grandmother and decides one day to embark on the journey . Since he's leaving alone , his friend tells her husband , Kikujiro , to go with him . What follows is a classic tale of friendship and soul-searching as the two go through often hilarious and heartful encounters . I absolutely recommend this movie ! ! !
020 4 I didn't expect very much going into this movie , but I found myself slowly warming to the characters in this Kitano film .
While not the kind of movie most expect to see when viewing Kitano , this movie is most likely greater proof of his genius than some of his other works .
The musical score is absolutely beautiful . It will definitely stay with you . The characters are slow to develop , but slow in a way that pays off , not in a way that puts you off .
The characters the two leads ( Kikujiro & Masao ) run into along their journey add to the overall entertainment factor of the film , but the underlying story of their shared loss is paramount .
Kikujiro is a gem , highly recommended .
021 4 When I first looked at Kikujiro in a Blockbuster Video Store , I couldn't expect too much from it , and I wasn't very enthusiastic . Even when i began to watch it , it was somewhat gloomy . But then as I progressed through the movie I absolutely loved it . This bittersweet movie captures the real power of life and goes deeper than to be expected by a director renowned for his gangster movies . The sad drama of it and the hilarity on the outside really do make this an instant classic . Now if it was only released more widespread in the US , we'd be golden .
022 4 I'm a huge fan of the films from Takeshi Kitano . I've seen all of his films he's directed ( including the newer Dolls and Zatoichi ) and I can say that I enjoy almost * cough Boiling Point * all of them and I really like his style of filmaking .
This plot here is about a young boy named Masao who just got out from school for the summer . He doesn't have many friends nor does he have much to do . After getting what appears to be a package of photos from his mother who Masao has never met before . A friend of his grandmother decides to let her husband Kikujiro ( Kitano himself ) take Masao on the journey . Misadventures and comedy follow .
Kitano has always been known for his crime films and dramas but this is the first time he's made a tolerable comedy-drama with his trademark subtle humor , slow pace and un-cilched style . If you've seen his films then you know what I'm talking about . He takes those qualities and makes a unique film with them . The acting here is pretty good for the most part , especially from Takeshi who is known for being a more silent actor , here he's a sluggish , rude and mean loudmouth with an attitude against almost everyone . It shows in some scenes where he lashes out on everyone around him . It's funny but almost absurd .
Now one gripe I have with the film is an almost gratuitious scene where a pedophile comes onto Masao . Nothing sexual happens but Kitano does get the sick bastard back in a funny way . That scene really takes away from the film .
Still this is a funny film . It's great to watch on a warm summer afternoon with the volume up loud . The soundtrack is done by Joe Hisaishi who's done some excellent work with Kitano in the past . The music makes you feel real good inside and it flows awfully well with the pace of the movie .
I recommend this highly .
024 4 Unless you are particularly insightful and gifted at observation , you will be tepid about this film the first time you watch it . But then it will fester in your dreams , infect your everyday speech and haunt your daily life . When you suggest to your co-workers Let's play ' Naked Statues ' ! then you'll know it's time to watch it again . And again . And again .
If you have never seen a Takeshi film :
This is not an ' American ' film . It does not feature snappy dialogue and action in every scene . Some scenes are completely silent , shot from an insanely distant camera point , or just plain odd . The story is not always linear , and you are forced to pay attention to subtle details and symbolism ( like the bell that periodically rings in the background ) . But if you can handle it , you won't be disappointed .
If you are a fan of Takeshi's gangster films :
Note that _ Kikujiro _ was made in the years following Takeshi's near-death motorcycle accident . This period in his life is marked by introspection , philosophy and less in-your-face violence . While it's true that several violent beatings take place , you will realize later that you never see a punch being thrown ( amazing how he accomplishes this ) . Once you realize this about Takeshi , the film takes on a magnificent new dimension .
Lastly , I must say that if you had the patience to read through this entire review , then you probably have what it takes to watch , enjoy & love _ Kikujiro _ . So go out and rent it . Afterwards we'll play ' Naked Statues ' .
025 4 this is one of the finest works of takeshi kitano ! it has the elements of drama , comedy and almost everything a viewer would like to see in a movie ! it will surely make you cry because of the funny scenes and because of the heart warming moments of the film ! it really is a must see
026 4 People often pigeon hole Beat Takeshi as a violent and twisted auteur . Because of his films released in the United States , it is easy to understand why that is the case . The films that received US release like Violent Cop , Gonin ( which he only starred in ) , and Sonatine are bloody , masochistic and some might argue misogynistic . The one dimension of Beat Takeshi that is often overshadowed by the violence is his humor . Sonatine , Hana-Bi and Boiling Point ( not the Wesley Snipes movie ) although gruesome , have many irreverent and light-hearted moments . Hopefully films like Kikujiro will change people's perception of this multi-faceted film maker .
Kikujiro thankfully is a fun departure from the usual world of death , mutilation and rape . It , like Hana-Bi ( still Beat Takeshi's best effort ) , is a road film . Kikujiro is a different take on the genre , it is about a small-time thug who is ordered by his wife to accomany the grandson of a friend to find his mother in a far off town . What I liked about this film was that Beat Takeshi toned down everything that he is known for , but kept the essence of a Beat Takeshi film in tact . The dead pan delivery , the quirky humor and tight story telling all remain in this successful attempt to broaden his audience .
027 4 Kikujiro no natsu is the latest offering by the Kitano . Unlike most of his back catalogue there is no death , suicide and shoot out ( but Yakuza is still here , there is no way of getting away from these guys I guess ) This film is basicly about a friendship between a little schoolboy and a rude , a bit thuggish middle aged man that is brilliantly portrayed by Kitano . After the arrival of the summer holiday little one wants to see his distant mum ( whose father is also dead ) and his neighbour forces kitano to accompany him during the journey . And a very strange road movie kitano style takes off . the friendship between two grows as the film continues . Kitano learns to be a decent caring man who can bear responsibilities unlike his past . Boy also learns how does it feel to have a father like person around . Duo meets many strange characters on the road and humor is stamped all around these strange guys.characters like Old pervert , motorcyclist duo , drifting poet etc will sure get your attention as well as loosen your nerves and will make your mouth fell off . Like every good movie story and strange characters are very well set and executed and all these are also served with some Kitanoish sad and cold reality in times . Of course camera and the colorful images of Mr Kitano is floatin ' all round this movie . Kitano manages to portray an ordinary character brilliantly . So there is still life in him without being yakuza or the police indeed . If you want an interesting road movie with unusual humour and some touching moments rush to the store now . Difficult to comeby such movies these days .
028 4 I first caught the last couple of minutes of this movie on Starz ! channel . I thought it was a little weird at first , but then I watched it the whole way through the next time it was on . If you haven't seen this movie yet , you should get either the DVD or VHS version . This is a great film , some people might not like it because of previous films by Takeshi Kitano . Don't let his usual gangster characters turn you off from this movie . His deadpan look , the way he [ acts ] out at the different people that him and the kid meet along their trip and the best one being the hotel clerk . The thing that made me go soft a little bit was the music at the end . That piano and string piece was great , the kind of music that could make you happy and relaxed anytime you listened to it . In ending this review , I say that if you haven't seen this movie , you should see it at the earliest possible time .
029 4 I thought this movie was very good . It was sad but also often hilariously funny . Despite the sad mood I felt throughout the movie it left me with an uplifting feeling . I do not know much about Japanese culture and this movie also left me with many questions . There where many times I was confused whether a moment was supposed to be artistic or realistic . Particularly in those artistic moments I did not understand the message being portrayed . All in all though I definitely think you should give it a chance . The emotion crosses cultural boundaries .
030 4 This is the story of a young boy with a sad frown .
The adults in his life have - - by neglect , by abandonment , by molestation , by dishonesty - - given him this frown .
Fortunately , some of the adults - - the ones the viewer least expects - - mature , and in hopes of making the boy happier , make themselves more whole .
A great tale of redemption and play .
031 4 I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed watching Kikujiro , as it didn't contain the violence typically expected in Takeshi Kitano's movies . This story is about a middle-aged idle Kikujiro who unexpectedly travels with a young boy Masao . The journey's primary purpose was to find Masao's mother , but the focus of the movie is on the journey itself . Kikujiro , who was hopelessly immature and inconsiderate at the beginning of the story , gradually embraces Masao's hurts and sadness .
The movie made me think of our need for people - that we need a community to cry with and laugh with . Kikujiro and Masao found community where one would not expect - in each other , as well as on the road with passers-by . Perhaps Kikujiro didn't really have a place in his hometown , even with his wife . The movie contains some crude sense of humor , which can be disturbing at times , but is not surprising knowing Beat Takeshi's sense of humor . If one has seen much of Beat Takeshi on TV , especially in the 1980s , the way the characters try to cheer up Masao may even bring a sense of nostalgia , albeit a little distasteful .
Even though the trip may not have accomplished its initial purpose , the movie leaves us with a sense of hope . And that is probably the point ; our pains in life will continue , yet , we also have future hope . The little angelic wind chime ( which , by the way , is very characteristic of Japanese summers ) that Kikujiro conveniently gave to Masao , symbolizes such hope . Perhaps Kikujiro was an angel personified for Masao , despite Kikujiro's appearance and mannerism . In return , Masao was also an angel for Kikujiro as he helped Kikujiro connect more with the people and world around him . The beautiful scenery and music throughout the movie does well to bring out the tender side in us all .
032 4 Kikujiro ( Takeshi Kitano , 1999 )
It took me all of five minutes to fall hopelessly in love with Kikujiro . And the movie only got better from there .
Kikujiro ( Kitano ) is a gambler and small-time criminal who's also the neighbor of Masao ( Yusuke Sekiguchi in his big-screen debut ) , a lonely , henpecked kid who lives with his grandmother . Masao's mother , according to his grandmother , is off making money to send to his grandmother for his upkeep ; one summer break , Masao decides he's going on a quest to find his mother , and Kikujiro ends up being the kid's guardian on the trip . Kikujiro , however , is not the most responsible of guardians , and after the two blow all of Masao's traveling money betting on bike races , they embark on a journey that shows Masao - - and Kikujiro - - that family isn't always about blood ties .
Kitano was already well-known as a director by the time this movie came out ( Violent Cop , Boiling Point , Sonachine , etc . ; Hana-Bi regularly shows up on 100 - best lists ) , but was typecast as a yakuza-film director ( much as Miike was before starting to come out with movies like The Bird People in China ) . Kikujiro has often been looked at as a response to that . As a response , I'm not sure it's all that - - it's still blunt around the edges , an action movie with a soft heart and a hard head . But as a simple road movie , it's pure gold . Sekiguchi is one of those terminally cute kids who doesn't have to do anything but sit there and make faces for people to fall in love with him ; he does do some acting , though , and he's good enough at it . Kikujiro , of course , is the real main character here , and Kitano is Kitano . His supporting staff are what seal the deal here ; they're strong , funny , and real . This is great cinema , folks . * * * * ½
033 4 KIKUJIRO , is a charming film in many ways . First , the tough guy persona of director / actor Takeshi Kitano , in the film was delightful to view . His interactions with those around him show that he may be a tough guy on the outside , but on the inside he can be a teddy bear . Takeshi's character in the film highlighted much of his funny side , and for those of you who have not seen Takeshi Kitano in any other role , this is a welcome relief . Because he gave a very funny performance in this film . A sort of dark comedy role , but not too dark : He needs to do more comedies , because I think he would excel in any comedic role . [ In fact I think thats how he started out ] .
The films narrative is about a young boy named Masao , who has never met his mother . Masao looks at pictures that his grandmother has put away , and as a lonely young boy , he dreams of the day when he will be reunited with her . Masao has been living with his grandmother , and although she loves young Masao and caters to his needs , Masao wishes to see the mother he does not know . We witness a very lonely boy . With only his grandmother to care for him , he longs to know the mother he never knew . Grandmother explains that his mother is busy trying to save money up by working hard in the city . But , there is more to his mother than I wish to divulge .
You can see just how lonely young Masao is when the young child is now on school break . He continues to play in the school yard , until his teacher tells him school is out now , and for him to enjoy his break . It is here , that Masao decides to go and visit his mother whom he has never met . For his good friend has gone on a vacation with his family , and he finds himself lonelier still without his lone playmate . The film basically deals with the road journey of Masao , who wants to see the mother he never knew , and Takashi Kitano , as the tough-soft guy who takes him on his journey . Takeshi Kitano portrays a petty crook who is given money by his wife to see that Masao makes it safely to his destination . Along the way they have a problems as Kitano gambles away the money [ 50,000 yen ] at a bicycle race track . This was all the money that his wife gave him to see that young Masao arrives safely at his destination .
Now without money , they both resort to hitch-hiking in order to get to their destination . Including taking a taxi [ which Kitano can't drive very well ] . But there is more to the story than that . Along the way Kitano and Masao meet all sorts of interesting and not so interesting people . I liked quite a few of the interactions between Kitano and the strangers he meets on the road . One can see that Kitano does not have very good people skills , as he is constantly in trouble with various characters . All the while , the two journey to see Masao's mother . I do not wish to spoil the ending of the film , or whether or not Masao eventually sees his mother . One thing is for sure , however , and that is this one road trip neither will forget . Recommended . Rent it first , as it might not appeal to all viewers . This is not a typical Kitano film . [ Stars : 3.5 ]
034 4 This review is from :
Kikujiro ( DVD )
If someone asked me what director led me to become interested in Japanese film , I would have to say Kitano Takeshi . Over four years ago in my Japanese class my teachers decided to give my classmates and I a break after completing our midterms and for the next three class periods we watched Kikujiro . Now , I had watched Japanese films before this particular class of course , but for the most part they had been directors such as Kurosawa Akira , Ozu Yasujiro , and Mizoguchi Kenji . Obviously each one of these directors was a great director , but my Japanese film watching experience was missing a contemporary edge and this particular film led to the opening of floodgates for me and my interest in recent Japanese film .
Anyway that is enough about me and my personal history with this particular film . Kikujiro tells the story of Masao , a young , gloomy boy whose school year has just ended . Now the end of school would normally be a time for rejoicing , however , Masao seems to think of it as a time of loneliness and isolation because , unlike his friends who are going on family vacations , he must stay at home with his grandmother because of the absence of his parents . Masao's father died in an accident so he obviously cannot be visited , but Masao does possess his mother's current address and decides to go visit her . So with his 2,000 yen , around twenty dollars , Masao heads off to find his mom . Unfortunately he is accosted by some older boys who want his money , but this altercations leads to a tackily dressed lady and her husband intervening . As shown earlier , this woman is a friend of Masao's grandmother and for some reason decides that it would be good for her husband to accompany Masao . Surprisingly the grandmother agrees and the odd dup are off . . . to the bike races and so begins Kitano Takeshi's Kikujiro .
As I stated earlier , this film was my first exposure to the films of Kitano , so I figured that many of his other films would roughly be in the same vein as this one . I , however , was quite wrong . The film that is most often associated with Kitano in the West , his films have never been quite as popular in Japan where he is mainly known as a television actor , is Hana-bi a violent , stylish darkly comedic tour de force . Yet , Kikujiro on the other hand , while not exactly light and fluffy because of violence and one or two uncomfortable situations , is light-hearted but in a slightly sad way . However , it shines with its moments of friendship and with its great visuals and wonderful score by Hisaishi Joe it fits quite nicely in between Hana-bi and other Kitano films .
035 4 If someone asked me what director led me to become interested in Japanese film , I would have to say Kitano Takeshi . Over four years ago in my Japanese class my teachers decided to give my classmates and I a break after completing our midterms and for the next three class periods we watched Kikujiro . Now , I had watched Japanese films before this particular class of course , but for the most part they had been directors such as Kurosawa Akira , Ozu Yasujiro , and Mizoguchi Kenji . Obviously each one of these directors was a great director , but my Japanese film watching experience was missing a contemporary edge and this particular film led to the opening of floodgates for me and my interest in recent Japanese film .
Anyway that is enough about me and my personal history with this particular film . Kikujiro tells the story of Masao , a young , gloomy boy whose school year has just ended . Now the end of school would normally be a time for rejoicing , however , Masao seems to think of it as a time of loneliness and isolation because , unlike his friends who are going on family vacations , he must stay at home with his grandmother because of the absence of his parents . Masao's father died in an accident so he obviously cannot be visited , but Masao does possess his mother's current address and decides to go visit her . So with his 2,000 yen , around twenty dollars , Masao heads off to find his mom . Unfortunately he is accosted by some older boys who want his money , but this altercations leads to a tackily dressed lady and her husband intervening . As shown earlier , this woman is a friend of Masao's grandmother and for some reason decides that it would be good for her husband to accompany Masao . Surprisingly the grandmother agrees and the odd dup are off . . . to the bike races and so begins Kitano Takeshi's Kikujiro .
As I stated earlier , this film was my first exposure to the films of Kitano , so I figured that many of his other films would roughly be in the same vein as this one . I , however , was quite wrong . The film that is most often associated with Kitano in the West , his films have never been quite as popular in Japan where he is mainly known as a television actor , is Hana-bi a violent , stylish darkly comedic tour de force . Yet , Kikujiro on the other hand , while not exactly light and fluffy because of violence and one or two uncomfortable situations , is light-hearted but in a slightly sad way . However , it shines with its moments of friendship and with its great visuals and wonderful score by Hisaishi Joe it fits quite nicely in between Hana-bi and other Kitano films .
036 4 Readers ,
Though I've only seen his film in VHS , it is perfect ! It stretches from humorous to dramatic . The film is about a boy who goes on a trip with a manipulative jerk to find his mother . On the way he encounters lovers , bikers , perverts and many other people . He learns all about how life has its ups and downs . This was one of the best foreign films I've seen that didn't have sexual overtones or excessive drama . I've even given this film to my dyslexic ( has problems reading ) brother and he loved it ! It's a must have movie for the whole family enjoy !
037 4 This review is from :
Kikujiro ( DVD )
This is not what most Takeshi Kitano fans expect from him . If you view this with no pre-conceptions of his previous style of films , you will see that this is a piece of art .
038 4 This is not what most Takeshi Kitano fans expect from him . If you view this with no pre-conceptions of his previous style of films , you will see that this is a piece of art .
039 4 This is such a wonderful film . Not only does it captures the simplistic beauty of the culture , and also depicts the intensity of emotions through unspoken words and gestures by the child . Beat recoiled from the idealistic trend of a ' fairy-tale ' happy-ending story , yet effortlessly wins the audience's heart by replacing the love of the boy's mother with a guardian angel disguised as the insolent thuggish babysitter . Some of the scenes were just hilarious , especially when the thug attempts to swim at the hotel pool wearing a lifefloat and ended up sinking head-down leaving the boy and the concierge looking dumbfounded and had to be rescued out . There are just too many special moments embedded through out such as picking winning numbers at the race , octopus man , the Martian , the lil guardian angel ornament etc . The moral of the story is that beneath all facet of human sordid facets , there's something universally humane and compassionate in each of us . When we don't get what we want , life surprises us with something better . It reminds me of the quote if life gives you lemons , make some lemonade . There are some intransitive scenes inappropriately and awkwardly delivered . . . the reappearance of the spooky dreams . Nonetheless , this movie is a delight to watch , you can't help but to fall in love with the cast . If you enjoy this one , also watch Showers directed by Zhang Yang .
040 4 It's funny to me to actually see an Asian film that isn't bloody , doesn't have samurai or other martial artists , or isn't in some way a horror film . I just got used to the stigma that comes with Asian cinema . But Kikujiro is different than those other Asian films brought to American shores . In many ways , it has a great deal more heart than I expected , and it's actually a delightful film to watch .
The story follows a young boy named Masao , who's seemingly always down , as he starts his summer vacation . And it doesn't start well . His friends are going away for vacation , his soccer team no longer practices , and his grandmother , who raises him , is never home because of work . That's when Masao discovers a picture of his mother and decides to find her . During the early moments of his journey , he meets a strange man and his wife , and the man's wife tells him to help little Masao get to where his mother is . This man , who will be called Mister from here on out , has other plans , and decides to take a side-trip . This trip leaves them broke , and they are forced to find other ways of traveling to where Masao's mother is . This kicks off a series of events and introduces a unique and hilarious cast of characters . What soon becomes clear is that Mister , an ex-gangster , wants nothing more than to make Masao happy , no matter what it takes , and whose tail he has to kick .
What's great about Kikujiro is that it never gets too mature . In fact , it's the immaturity of the two main characters , more so on the part of Mister , that drives this story along . This movie is a comedy on all ends and will do anything to get a laugh , and it succeeds brilliantly , and occasionally shockingly , at this . This is a fun movie . I'd recommend Kikujiro to anyone who wants a new spin to their Asian cinema .
041 4 If it wasn't for the perverted old man and the language , this would probably be a really good children's movie . Who knows , maybe it's intended to be . . .
Anyway , little Masao lives with his grandmother and has never met his parents : his father is dead and his mother ran away . He knows where his mother lives , however , and wants to go visit her over the Summer , so his kindly neighbor conscripts her profligate husband to take him . Mister , as Masao calls him , doesn't make the ideal companion with his absurd behavior and his verbal abuse , but they go off to adventure anyways and learn to really connect with each other .
The power this film has lies mostly in its contemplative approach . It's very humorous and isn't really slow , but the camera does take the time to linger on locales , faces , and characters . For a few odd parts here and there , it's still really innocent and it seems to show that most people are kind-natured at heart , even when they project an aura of toughness and abusiveness . An interesting aside to analyze that theme would be the carnival scene , where people intrusted with family entertainment turn out to be violent cheaters , whereas even the heavy-metal biker folk are more than willing to go out of their way to help Masao .
The film itself is from Masao's perspective , as a childhood's slightly photographic memory comes into play , mixed a lot with colorful imagination . The humor is the best part , as it is at times really simple but holds itself up well . There's a lot to enjoy in this film .
- - PolarisDiB
042 4 This review is from :
Kikujiro ( DVD )
I love Beat Takeshi's works and it was nice to see him do something different with this movie instead of the gangs and cops-type stuff . Dont get me wrong , I loved those too . I think his brave efforts paid off and this is one of his better films . You'll like the kid and the theme song will stick in your head .
043 4 I love Beat Takeshi's works and it was nice to see him do something different with this movie instead of the gangs and cops-type stuff . Dont get me wrong , I loved those too . I think his brave efforts paid off and this is one of his better films . You'll like the kid and the theme song will stick in your head .
044 4 It was the first movie I had seen by Beat Takeshi , so I had no prior expectations . At first I found the movie disturbing ( and my wife almost had me turn it off ) , but about a third into it the tone and pace changed , and it turned out to be one of the most heartwarming films I have seen in ages . I still hear that little song dance in my head , simple and infective . A great film that I still think about from time to time .
045 4 I loved this movie ! Its the most random film ive ever seen and I love it that way . From the beginning where we're walking with Takeshi and his wife in the film and hes talking to those kids , to the middle where there traveling and the car's tires blow out , to the end , I was laughing my bottom off . Id love to see another movie like this !
Oh and by far the best part , Keep off the Grass lol
046 4 Kikujiro is a fantastic movie that really surprised me . I was curious to see what would happen when Takeshi Beat Kitano stepped outside of his usual role so I decided to rent it . The story is interesting because it shows what happens to a tough guy who unexpectedly becomes responsible for a young boy's welfare .
The story uses a lot of symbology and fantastic departures from reality that give this movie an almost fairy tale feel , then moves to the reality that young children need to be provided food and shelter . Many of the people that the two main characters run into seem to serve two roles , they all have their surface level interaction , but they all briefly take on a symbological role that show the similarities between the grown man and the young child .
It's very interesting how this movie is presented in an almost playlike fashion at some points . This movie shrouds it's deep insights with a cute story of a gangster looking after a little boy .
I highly recommend this movie .
047 4 This is one of my favorite films .
You don't need me to give you a synopsis of the film . Amazon does that . And you certainly don't need for me to tell you about the wonders of Takeshi Beat Kitano . That would just be repetitve and make me a blow-hard .
So , I'll simply tell you this - -
The film gives us a wonderful glimpse of life in modern Tokyo . I was already a fan of Takeshi Beat Kitano before I saw this and found this to be a magnificent departure from his more aggressive films . While I admit to not fully understanding all the dancing , my guess is that since they occur largely in the dream / nightmare sequences of a child , it gives us access to his imagination .
It is a heart-warming film and the lengths the many characters go to in order to provide young Masao some fun is endearing . Frankly , you can't beat a Japanese beatnik roaming around in a little van ! Kitano plays a small time crook whose on screen wife is terrific , absolutely hysterical .
It's well worth 116 minutes of your life .
048 4 Takeshi Kitano's follow-up after Fireworks ( Hana-Bi ) .
This time around , he's going with a gentler road tale about a young dumpy boy and the gangster Kikujiro ( played by Takeshi himself ) who's taking him to see his mother during summer vacation . The story examines the way the boy sees the world and the effect it has on his new fellow friend .
The result came up to a beautiful poetic and subtle movie .
This is nothing you have had from Kitano before . No deadpan depictions of violent hard scenes , but a pure sentimentality and such funny road movie . Of course you can still find Kitano's predilection for static long shots , poker-faced acting and elliptical narration .
I found it brilliant . Definitely Kitano essential .
~ G .
049 4 This movie was amazing . It was deep . It was light . It was intellectual . But most importantly this movie was hilarious . I loved it ! A definite rental must , 9 out of 10 you'l by it after you see it !
051 4 Wonderful story , great morale , and totally hillarious . Great for a family present . I had to get a soundtrack , so much I loved the music .
053 4 I loved this movie from the first time that I watched it !
It has english subtitles which is pretty distracting to some people so if you don't mind reading the foreign movie while watching it then this one is perfect for you .
054 4 The beautiful music , cute young actor and the plot that is presented at the outset led me to anticipate a delightful escape into a slice of life in a different culture . Half way into the movie I decided that either this was a lousy movie or I don't understand the Japanese culture at all . The main character is simply too unlikeable to engender any real sympathy in the viewer : as we learn more about his background , the facts certainly tell us we should feel sorry for this man , but his obnoxious behavior throughout make him a totally unsympathetic character . And it is even difficult to understand why so many people immediately cower at his bullying - perhaps this is somewhat a cultural difference ? The young actor is cute but has a very limited emotional range , but the biggest problem was the series of odd , to say the least , stilted scenes involving off-beat characters met on the road , who are never really developed as characters with any depth . Near the end of the movie , my wife and I almost gave up on it , but we stayed until the end . I would definitely not recommend the movie .
055 4 The musical score to this film is addictive . Its lovely sense of melody uplifts our emotions . Takeshi Kitano was nominated for the Golden Palm Award for this film @ Cannes & won Best Actor at Spain's Valladolid International Film Festival .
Kayoko Kishimoto was abrasive as Kikujiro's wife , which made you understand why he volunteered to take off with Masao played by Yusuke Sekiguchi . Overall , this film did not work for me . Other than the fact that there wasn't a story or much of a climax , the real source of enmity I have for the film is the scene which implies child abuse in the restroom . To have the old geezer grabbing at a young child's underpants followed by Kitano in the restroom with his pants to his knees was outlandish . Was that humor ? Hurting a child is not a funny thing . Kikujiro's neglect of the boy made me wonder what kind of mother would allow her son to be with such a man for days on end without even a phone call home . I believe Kitano was trying for a bonding film between a man and child . Instead , we get a loony biker dancing on the beach without clothes on in front of his all-male companions including the child . This is supposed to entertain . It distrubed me , much the way Nicole Kidman's performance did in
Birth
. This is an offensive film because it apparently condones the mistreatment and neglect of children . Taxi !
056 4 Kikujiro is the only movie that I can remember ever pushing the fast-forward button while watching . Perhaps I have come to expect too much of the Japanese cinema over the past few years , or perhaps my desire for new stories , an intelligent script and good cinematography has left a cold rock buried in my chest for anything less than excellent , but I would consider Kikujiro far from mediocre , and that is being generous .
Kikujiro is an old story that is told around the globe at least once a year . It has been a long standing theory of mine that a child as the main character of a film can either make or break a film . In this case , the young boy Masao breaks the film . Masao has one reaction to every single interaction that takes place in the film : he bows his head , lowers his eyes and sticks his lip out . This is what the boy does during the entire film , and by the 20th time within the first five minutes of the film you can't help but wonder if there is anything more to the character of this child and the film itself . There isn't .
But to blame the blunder of the film upon this one child would make me a simpleton . The script to Kikujiro is not clever . Some films show their mastery through their ability to communicate through short scripts ( Kurosawa's Madadayo ) , but Kikujiro's two page script is short of a soul . This film moves slowly , not carefully or beautifully , and the different scenes are completely non sequitur . The film unravels across the screen not like the graceful steps and movements of a Kurosawa film , but much like a hippo in a tutu who has had one too many cups of sake .
If you're in the mood to see a touching movie about an unlikely relationship between a hurt child and a hardened adult , and if you want to keep your hope in Japanese cinema alive , don't watch Kikujiro .
