I'm not sure how to categorize this movie, other than "documentary" of course. Ushio and Noriko Shinohara are artists living in New York City. They've been there since the 1960's, when Ushio tried to break into the bohemian scene there. He had some minor success but never enough to be able to get above the poverty line. Meanwhile, Noriko had to put aside her own art in order to help Ushio, then raise their son. Now, she is determined to see her work show at the same gallery as Ushio's.
Their styles couldn't be more different. Ushio favors "motion painting", where he straps paint-soaked sponges to boxing gloves and punches his way across a canvas, and sculptures of motorcycle grotesqueries. Noriko uses watercolor and pencil to illustrate "Cutie", a cartoon character who lives with her alcoholic husband "Bullie".
Despite the bickering, the passive-aggressiveness, and neglect, it's clear that this couple loves each other. I'm not sure that is the best thing, however. It's interesting to watch but I'm not sure what the overall message of the film was. As a character study, it's all right. I just can't help but want Noriko to have a greater success than Ushio.
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