Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6420 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-09-26
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: Japanese
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 100 minutes

Synopsis
In Takeshi Kitano's KIKUJIRO, the actor/writer/director (billed as Beat Takeshi) portrays the brash, mischievous title character, a middle-aged man living with his wife in Tokyo. When Masao (Yusuke Sekiguchi), a sullen neighbourhood boy, embarks on a quest to find his estranged mother, Kikujiro's wife instructs him to accompany the child. Unfortunately, before they even leave town Kikujiro squanders all of their travelling money by gambling at the cycle races and as a result these two unlikely companions must hitch a series of rides on the open road. As Kikujiro and Masao trek along the Japanese countryside, they encounter strange characters and circumstances, leading to a series of misadventures.
Given Kitano's reputation for violent gangster films, KIKUJIRO is a surprisingly gentle departure. However, the film still bears many of the director's stylistic trademarks (such as lingering shots of characters and landscapes) that often recall the more humorous and meditative moments of his other films like SONATINE and FIREWORKS. Kitano and the young Sekiguchi are superbly subtle in their roles, allowing their unusual chemistry to carry the film. Heart-warming without being predictable or overly sentimental, KIKUJIRO is a welcome comic addition to Kitano's accomplished body of work.

Customer Reviews

This may change your life...
This is essentially a road movie where a rubbish, unpleasant low-ranking Yakuza is thrown together with a morose, lonely boy in search of the latter's mother. Unlike most road movies, it could be anywhere, the location is unimportant. The characters take centre stage here.
It's a film of two halves the first part the pursuit of Mother, the second the pursuit of friendship and happiness. The second half is amazing. I'm not going to give the plot away, I hate reviews that do that. But I will say it has one of the best endings ever seen on film. Simple and elegant, it hits you - POW!
Kitano creates a modern day fairy tale with humour, pain and bite without a syrupy, squirm factor thrown in. I'm dreading Hollywood doing a remake of this, it would be vile.

Kitano#1
This is without a doubt the most accessable Kitano movie so far. A very touching and comedic offering, Kitano is at his wicked best in this movie, look out for the scene at the bus stop which features a cameo appearance from his former 'Two Beats' stand up double act partner, its hilarious. The chemistry between Kitano and the young boy Masao is enchanting.
Once again, the cinematography is stunning, the editing clever, and the music, what can I say, John Williams has nothing on Mr.Joe Hisaishi.
An absolutely breathtaking movie. One of the movies you MUST see in this lifetime.

I wish Kitano was my Uncle.... Genius

amazing
Very nice(and at moments very funny) road movie..
Strongly recommend it for viewing..

The story is about a small kid, who is living in a small flat with his grandmother. It is the beginning of the summer and all the kids are leaving for holidays with their family..

Having no family , the kid travels to the place where his mother is working.. In order to protect it (??) Kitano travels alongside and creates comical situations..

As with any other road movie, the important part is not the destination but how the travellers characters interact and evolve during the trip.

The ending is brilliant....