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Kikujiro
菊次郎の夏
1999 121 min Japan PG-13 12+
★7.1
Comedy, Drama
Director: Takeshi Kitano
Trailers
Description
Brash, loudmouthed and opportunistic, Kikujiro is the unlikely companion for Masao who is determined to see the mother he has never met. The two begin a series of adventures which soon turns out to be a whimsical journey of laughter and tears with a wide array of surprises and unique characters along the way.
US Gross:
$200,920
Starring
Takeshi Kitano
Actor
Yusuke Sekiguchi
Actor
Kayoko Kishimoto
Actor
Awards
Cannes Film Festival 1999
— Palme d'Or
Key opinion
Kikujiro is widely celebrated as a tender, soul-stirring departure from Takeshi Kitano's typical violent yakuza fare. The film is praised for its evocative score and its ability to capture the bittersweet essence of childhood, though its episodic, slow-burning pace may prove challenging for some.
| Score | Joe Hisaishi's melodic score serves as a masterful emotional anchor that enhances the film's nostalgic and gentle atmosphere. | |
| Acting | The chemistry between Takeshi Kitano’s boorish, erratic character and the silent, expressive young Masao creates a compelling and heart-warming dynamic. | |
| Originality | Kitano effectively subverts his own reputation for violence by crafting a unique, fable-like narrative that feels both sincere and authentically Japanese. | |
| Pacing | The film’s episodic, slow-paced structure is seen by many as a meditative, 'picture-book' journey, while others find the lack of traditional plot momentum tedious and difficult to sit through. | |
| Humor | While most viewers appreciate the film's innocent and naive charm, some find certain comedic moments or character actions to be jarringly clumsy or nonsensical. |