Tampopo - with many spoilers

It seems that declaring Tampopo a “Spaghetti Noodle Eastern Western” would have made Director Juzo Itami a very happy man. The film actually bills itself as “The first Japanese Noodle Western”. Unfortunately it turns out that Juzo Itami was not a very happy man and sadly committed suicide in 1997 widowing Nobuko Miyamoto, the actress who plays our protagonist; “Dandelion”.

Verdict

My movie ratings consist of thumbs up or middle fingers as sometimes one starring something doesn’t shame it enough. 5 thumbs up = an absolute triumph. 5 middle fingers = a complete piece of shit, go fuck yourself.

Tampopo - 3 thumbs up

Abstract and memorable - A quirky jaunt definitely deserving of its notoriety.

Favourite quote “Come on! Don’t sleep! or you’ll die! Say Something! sing!” - The husband of a dying lady makes her cook one last meal before she dies. Sadly she doesn't sing as she does it.

Favourite scene

The opening scene and it's breaking of the fourth wall is a gripping way to start the film but I feel it was overshadowed for me by the eggy kiss. I know this is a fan favourite among my peers in the audience as it inspired such conversation as; “Imagine snowballing that egg into someone’s ass” as well as other charming post dinner chat.

Most of the scenes in this film would work independently of each other. You can pick any scene at random and it will still be enjoyable. This is down to the completely ADHD plot writing. It doesn’t create much suspense throughout the movie but it’s definitely entertaining.

Best meme from the movie

Analysis Before chowing down on tasty critic let us put our hands together and pray:

In the name of Juzo Itami

and of his wife

and of the holy pork broth

Ramen

Tampopo is a love letter to Ramen in the style of a Western film. Juzo Itami loved food. Particularly noodles. And apparently Wild West films. At least that's what I'm taking from this plethora of food jollies. The movie plays like a sketch show featuring all of the Director's ideas about food all thrown together like a big mixing bowl of... stew.

The main plot of the film follows the hat wearing hard man who rolls into town for a quick bite to eat. He of course abandons his petrol tanker full of wares and decides to help a complete stranger succeed in the art of creating superb noodles. Training to create noodle perfection obviously entails training in the same manner as Rocky Balboa.

The really interesting parts of the film are served alongside the central story arc. Sometimes the pair try to expand their noodle research by learning from other chefs and taking cooking lessons from them. Sometimes they challenge rival chefs to a cook off and a fight. Sometimes they merely join a cult of vagabonds to learn from their culinary elder whilst Tampopo's only son breaks into a kitchen with a random tramp (this scene was apparently a tribute to Charlie Chaplin).

Those were the really interesting parts... but... the BEST parts of the movie are completely randomly thrown in. A sly camera panning from a scene on a train to follow a man running somewhere. "What's this?" we ask. Oh. his wife is dying and she needs to cook for her family one last time. Sometimes a scene swipe leads to a completely unrelated scene of a gangster eating oysters on the shore with his love interest. Sometimes a lady ruining all the food in a supermarket. And sometimes a crowd of Japanese ladies learning to eat spaghetti silently in a restaurant. Why? Because this is an Eastern Western. Show me the part in the rule book where it says that's not exactly how those are supposed to be.

The bottom line

This very fun movie has inspired a lot of people to do a lot of things. Sometimes questionable things. There is absolutely no reason not to watch it. Delicious.