This is probably the funniest Japanese film I've ever seen. Kurosawa is many things, but he's not exactly a laugh riot. Content warning: animal death
A team of culinary ronin (which might be the greatest two words ever put together) led by truck driver Goro (Tsutomo Yamazaki) helps widowed Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto) improve her ramen cooking. Meanwhile, the camera loosely follows other Japanese diners through various food-related experiences.
That doesn't really give you a sense of how light and fun this movie is. It is just a joy to watch, especially if you like food. There are only two scenes that potentially ruin the mood, depending on your tolerance. One where a live turtle is killed, and one where a teenaged oyster diver is shown in a wet white top. Both scenes are mercifully brief but they still exist.
Tampopo is currently streaming on the Criterion Channel and I think HBO Max. It is absolutely worth a watch. Also, there is a baby Ken Watanabe as Gun, Goro's partner! I didn't even recognize him.
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