1-World Festival of Foreign Films
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Tampopo
(Dandelion)
Japan - 1986
Directed by Juzo Itami

"Spaghetti Eastern"?  This could be an alternative title to Tampopo, the hilarious comedy that elevates food to a new level while spoofing the famous Spaghetti Westerns.  Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto) is a widow who runs an uneventful little noodle shop on the outskirts of Tokyo.  When Goro (Tsutomu Yamazaki) ambles in, "Clint Eastwood" fashion, and criticizes her noodles, a small riot ensues.  Rather than feel insulted, Tampopo begs for Goro's guidance, asking him to help her improve her noodles to make them the best in Tokyo.  So begins a concentrated search for the perfect noodle and the sort of "noodle boot-camp" that Goro puts Tampopo through.

Everyone in this film is a gourmand, with passionate opinions on food.  Some prefer their passion with food, as the couple who find unusual ways to enjoy eggs and oysters and whipped cream that reveal their particular brand of erotica.  Others merely love to talk about food, endlessly, discussing every possible attribute and aspect.   One old lady delights in sneaking up to the produce counter and squeezing all the fruit.

Tampopo is a delightful, offbeat, colorful comedy that translates the Japanese humor easily into English.  Director, Juzo Itami has done a fine job of pacing the gags and getting the most out of the characters.

Runtime:  114 minutes

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