As I’m usually reminded whenever I watch foregin films, our sensitivities and expectations as Americans are not universal. We were all taught that any good story has a conflict, a climax, a resolution… and so on. Based on this, most Hollywood films are packed heavy with tensions and “situations”. Tampopo (Japanese) was a pleasant departure from that formula.
The film is simply a romp. This is not to say that it is without some plot lines, but it is a comedy after all, and a Japanese one at that. The main character Tampopo, is a widow who owns a noodle shop. It’s not such a good noodle shop, and the film follows her education and efforts to make her place the best it can be. To paraphrase Tampopo: Everybody has got a ladder to climb. Some climb every rung to the top and some don’t even know they have one.
And perhaps that’s the biggest “message” in the movie. To strive for personal improvement! I can say that after the movie I had a serious hankering for noodles and a new appreciation of the complexities of what appears to be a simple dish.
Absolutely well worth the time, this move has many heart warming moments and is an overall joy! Ten toes up!
At Foothills Monday, November 2 at 8pm.
John Costa
Let’s not forget the infusion of sultry food related vignettes throughout the film — highly unusual, sensual, and oh-so-amusing. I love this film and its gangster / cowboy appeal!