Comments on: “The Ramen Girl” Makes Me Want to Cry

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 20:59:00 +0000

I finally found that at my local library (Phoenix AZ) last year! I had seen some info about it on a movie review show in Japan when it was produced, but since I didn’t speak the language and my wife was out of the house I couldn’t get anymore information on it. That trip to Japan was a long time ago, but I remembered what I had seen.

So, I was completely pleased and surprised I’d find it after all these years. Needless to say “..Mr. McDonald” is my new favorite movie of all time!

Mike

By: JenniferReslow

JenniferReslow — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:10:21 +0000

To Paul C. Lately I have been watching the movie The Ramen Girl staring Brittany Murphy. It is my favorite movie to watch. I tried looking in the movie about Brittany's husband wearing the shoes on the tatami flooring. I could no find that scene. If anyone could point it out to me please do. I thank you very much for it.

By: JenniferReslow

JenniferReslow — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 04:10:21 +0000

By: foodie_san

foodie_san — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:18:04 +0000

Tsutomu Yamazaki, who played Goro in Tampopo, does play the Grand Master in Ramen Girl, though. So I'm glad they played a little homage to the original and far superior film.

By: foodie_san

foodie_san — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:18:04 +0000

Tsutomu Yamazaki, who played Goro in Tampopo, does play the Grand Master in Ramen Girl, though. So I'm glad they played a little homage to the original and far superior film.

By: leo123

leo123 — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:02:29 +0000

This movie was the largest piece of crap I have watched. Light and funny.

By: Paul C

Paul C — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:48:13 +0000

I just watched 'The Ramen Girl' on DVD.
It was interesting to see the Tokyo scenery I love so much, but it was the (intentional?) cultural ignorance on the part of Brittany Murphy throughout the film that irked me.
Her constant shouting at the Ramen shop owner in English when he didn't understand her made her look the total ignoramus & cultural buffoon – she hardly tried to understand Japanese & just expected everyone to understand her – & that was almost throughout the whole 100 minutes!.
Her rudeness to total strangers was astonishing – & when they helped her, she didn't even say thankyou!!! – how hard is it to learn a couple of phrases? Even her husband is seen early on in the film wearing shoes on the tatami flooring!
By far the best acting went to the Japanese cast – especially the Ramen shop owner ( who I recognised as the actor who played 'Pigsy' in the cult Japanese series “Saiyuki” – known as “Monkey” in Australia, NZ & the UK where it was shown). I also like the fact that the Japanese cast spoke Japanese throughout & didn't start miraculously speaking English just so western audiences didn't have the 'bother' of reading subtitles!
All in all, Brittany's character was so typical as how Hollywood sees Japan – just keep yelling in English & they'll eventually understand, because Hollywood's not going to learn Japanese!
Also , the choice of using Chinese-style music in a film made in Japan! – just like what they did in the film of multi-cultural errors “Memoirs of a Geisha”.
Chinese ? Japanese? – who's going to notice? it's all the same for Hollywood.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:41:19 +0000

I believe some of your facts are incorrect.

This has nothing to do with Tampopo, it has neither subtitles, children, quirky montages, takes on Japanese culture and or about a ramen shop specifically.

This is an American experience in Japan, as pointed out by the writer's friend.

The actor who plays Goro, is not the Ramen Master. but the Ramen Master's Master. He is in the movie for 1 scene, although I did cheer when he showed up.

Now all that aside, this movie WAS uneven. The girl has too many "subconscious thoughts" said as actual dialog. I would loved to have seen her rise in the NYC culinary scene in the 1 year they skipped over, not to mention the reunion with the family in Paris. But obviously their budget didn't include a secondary film shoot in France.

The whole party scene crowd is unrelate-able as backdrop, she gets dumped and you don't care because she hangs out with barflies... I understand it is used as a build up to the love interest which is the one good hook for the girl's storyline.

But why didn't she learn the language? Or even show an attempt, she had friends at her old job, new friends who knew it, and even sub characters who knew more English than she did Japanese.

The scene with the Ramen Master's mother is excellent as is any of the wife's scenes, the supporting clan of 4 in the restaurant are funny, but then they aren't meant to be anything but funny.

I did like the attempt at some heart in this movie, I literally just saw it hours ago for the first time. It is NOT Tampopo, but it would make a nice addition to any foodie film buff, Murphy is forgiveable, and her chemistry with the Ramen Master is very good. I wish his character could have learned more English to bend that barrier...

Overall I give it 2 and 1/2 bowls out of 5.

Now ask me about "No Reservations", that is a foodie movie of incomparable suckiness.

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:42:39 +0000

I agree with umachu. What is wrong with you people? Being a critic is one point, but please do take note that not every japanese movie remake sucks. Shall We Dance is one good example, and im sure The Ramen Girl would be nice too, after watching the preview.

Come to think of it, since some of you guys are so critical on it, why not try making a movie yourself? If not, just shut the trap up, for the love of God. Sheesh.

By: Umachu-Americano

Umachu-Americano — Sun, 03 May 2009 22:09:41 +0000

Seriously, lighten up.

It's just a movie. Ramen girl is a good movie. Not great, not earth shaking.

As long as one respects the original who cares if there is a remake?

Shall We Dance was a great Japanese movie.

The American version was nowhere near as great, but it was enjoyable.

Haven't you heard imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?