Notes for Tampopo

Film: Tampopo

Year Of Release: 1985

Director: Juzo Itami

Notes from viewing number 1 (07.10.2021)

Rating: 9/10

- When you hear «food movie», you don't exactly think «great cinema», but Tampopo will change that, as it is impossible to hate, and also makes it impossible to not get hungry.

- Tampopo starts with an amazing fourth-wall break that not only made me laugh, but also made me regret eating chips instead of some steak with fries or a pizza from the local restaurant.

- Tampopo isn't only a good film because of how hungry it makes you, but it's also an amazing mash of genres. To say it's a «food movie» doesn't really describe well enough. It's a really good western, an inventive underdog movie, an amazingly funny comedy, a pretty engaging drama, and even a pretty spicy erotic film.

- One of my favorite things about Tampopo is how drenched it is in irony and surrealism. It doesn't use it's absurdity for symbolism and metaphors, but for laughs. Tampopo isn't trying to become art, it's just trying to be fun, and it is great fun.

- Tampopo also puts some very great depth into it's characters, especially Goro, and why food means so much to him. The saying goes: Some eat to live, other live to eat.

- The film's main plot is intertwined with some amazing and memorable bits which are my favorite parts of the film. And while this structure does hurt the film a little bit, I don't really mind it too much.

- Tampopo is a great piece of cinema. It has some flaws, but it's an incredibly charming ode to food that is impossible to dislike. This is a must-see.