I remember watching this back in the day, and not liking it. I found it very stereotypical, and unflattering to the Japanese culture. After having been to Japan a number of times since then, I find the movie even more xenophobic. I mean, if they had made a similar movie about a white guy amongst a bunch of black guys acting stereotypical, there would have been an uproar. But because this is another country, which probably most Americans have never visited, this movie somehow gets a pass. Add to that, it's the work of Francis Ford Coppola's daughter, and it's automatically put into the 'praise' category.
Bill Murray's character isn't very likeable. Heck, none of the characters are very likeable. Seems like many of the jokes are at the expense of the culture, just like the Wes Anderson movie 'Isle of Dogs' was, or 'Rising Sun' by Philip Kaufman.
If this movie had had a decent Asian protagonist to help the movie along, it would have been less offensive. You don't see the American characters even try to embrace their new surrounding, they're instead portrayed as some how a victim of their new home. They would rather bend Japan to their will because they don't want to try to adapt. So instead of trying make friends with people there, they just gravitate to each other. I mean come on, you're not on Mars, you're in Japan! Enjoy it, explore it!
Avoid this movie, especially if you're a Japan-file. This won't add to your appreciation of the culture. I would suggest a movie like Ramen Girl if you want to watch a movie about someone who is an outsider who learns to fit in, instead of trying to bend the culture to their will.
Bill Murray's character isn't very likeable. Heck, none of the characters are very likeable. Seems like many of the jokes are at the expense of the culture, just like the Wes Anderson movie 'Isle of Dogs' was, or 'Rising Sun' by Philip Kaufman.
If this movie had had a decent Asian protagonist to help the movie along, it would have been less offensive. You don't see the American characters even try to embrace their new surrounding, they're instead portrayed as some how a victim of their new home. They would rather bend Japan to their will because they don't want to try to adapt. So instead of trying make friends with people there, they just gravitate to each other. I mean come on, you're not on Mars, you're in Japan! Enjoy it, explore it!
Avoid this movie, especially if you're a Japan-file. This won't add to your appreciation of the culture. I would suggest a movie like Ramen Girl if you want to watch a movie about someone who is an outsider who learns to fit in, instead of trying to bend the culture to their will.