Last weekend I picked up the DVD Ramen Girl. Its about a girl from America who trains to be a ramen noodle chef under the tutelage of a local ramen shopkeeper. This ramen shopkeeper, played by Toshiyuki Nishida, is not only fanatical about how to cook and serve noodles but he also speaks no English. The American girl, known as played by Brittany Murphy, speaks no Japanese.
- The Ramen Girl
It was not my favourite movie … the American boyfriend who appeared in the initial scene really annoyed me with his attempt at speaking Japanese!…. and he wore shoes in the Japanese apartment – big no no!
Once the boyfriend was off the scene, however, the American girls acting improved! I think she was more natural and able to get into her part alongside her Japanese counterparts….. from there on the movie was quite palatable ? excuse the pun ….
It was strange, however, because the script and the theme reminded me of a cross between the 1980’s movie The Karate Kid and a much older Japanese movie called Tanpopo.
The first movie, The Karate Kid, picked up on the gaijin/foreigners embodiment of Japanese culture. It also showed how the main character worked on achieving a greater spirituality in their lives.
The second movie, Tanpopo, was centered around the Japanese love and obsession with food. This movie also revolved around noodles and the art of eating … rather than making them.
So the combination of two older movies combined with an American in Tokyo twist … and there you have it The Ramen Girl….. I guess I could say a 6 out of 10 ….. perhaps.
“A bowl of ramen is a self-contained universe with life from the sea, the mountains, and the earth—all existing in perfect harmony.”
http://bit.ly/cIlhM Anyone seen this movie … ?
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
@KimonoBox I’ve been wanting to see Ramen Girl – Thanks for your review: http://bit.ly/cIlhM
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
@KimonoBox I’ve been wanting to see Ramen Girl – Thanks for your review: http://bit.ly/cIlhM
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Ramen Girl, a cross between Tampopo and Karate Kid? See @KimonoBox’s review http://bit.ly/cIlhM
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
@yaschan79 – Yeah, I and my wife watched it. We found it silly, and waste of good actors and actresses. Learn to make ramen in 1 year? no way
@juzferyou yep watched it – my thoughts at http://bit.ly/cIlhM not my favourite but palatable?
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
@juzferyou yep watched it – my thoughts at http://bit.ly/cIlhM not my favourite but palatable?
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
How long does it usually take to learn how to make broth?
Good review, and good image. http://bit.ly/DEcSB
(But how to hold chopsticks the girl in the image is funny.)
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Enjoyed your blog entry and intrigued by the film. Flattered to see my photo here. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Kimonobox,
Found your site while searching for reviews for “The Ramen Girl”. It seems you did not like it as well as I did, but your review was very useful.
Linking to your site. It looks very interesting. It will be good to have an experienced view of “east meets west”.
Visit “World of Okonomy” when you can. A food blog with a similar bent to your site. -SV