The Secret Garden (1997) User Reviews

Japanese manga...with real-life actors

[KFL · 7/10 · 3 November 2002]

B-grade Japanese movies of recent years have been influenced quite a bit by manga (Japanese comics) and anime (animation), but I hadn't yet seen a Japanese movie that is, in effect, a live-action manga from beginning to end. Himitsu no Hanazono is one such movie.

The manga aspects mean that everything is over-the-top. Sakiko's single-minded obsession with money, her outlandish and relentless efforts in search of a lost suitcase full of bills, leaving flabbergasted observers in her wake--all are straight out of manga, and retain the light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek humor of that medium (the better manga, anyways). And there is a kind of gradual maturation process thrown in as well, as Sakiko comes to realize that she's not drawn to money itself, so much as to the hunt for it.

Not great cinema by any stretch, but this is one of the best Japanese light comedies I've seen, and I've seen a few. Definitely worth a viewing if you like manga/anime or movies in this genre.

Fun Fun Fun

[Till-6 · 8/10 · 18 December 1998]

A film about a money-loving woman, who is simply lovable !

Modern madcap comedy

[poikkeus · 10/10 · 20 July 2004]

Japanese uber-model Naomi Nishida makes her starring debut in

Shinobu Yaguchi's semi-legendary comedy.

A girl (Nishida) has been abnormally fascinated with money since

childhood -- so much so that she becomes the employee of a

bank. She realizes quickly that it's not as much fun handling

money that you don't own....

And that begins her hilarious odyssey that takes her through

armed robbery, and wins her a geology degree, a swimming

championshiip, a mountain-climbing contest, and injuries along

the way to her pursuit of a suitcase full of cash.

Director Yaguchi employs his usual deadpan humor in a story that

has you rooting for a hero who's often too funny for words. Finally

available on subtitled DVD, there's now no reason to put off your

responsibility to see this delight.

First rate comedy about the pursuit of a dream.

[kmmb · 30 August 2003]

Sometimes billed as 'My Secret Cache', this hilarious struggle by a young bank teller will really keep you laughing. Excellent production, awesome scenery, and a heartfelt insight into a dreamer and her pursuers. I can't wait until this is out on DVD.

No one in this movie acts like a real person- and I love it!!

[danielatala8 · 10/10 · 23 January 2022]

As the title suggests Shinobu Yaguchi's "The Secret Garden" is a fun romp from start to finish. As y'all may have gathered from my reviews I'm a huge Shinobu Yaguchi fan I love his movies Swing Girls and Water Boys they have a certain brand of humour that's just so funny- people act in the craziest of ways like no human would and that heightens the whole experience, there's no real antagonist- only accumulated craziness and fun that's not only from the protagonist but the surrounding cast as well- it's as if the world Shinobu Yaguchi directs is a cartoonish version of the real world which I do appreciate since reality is seldom fun.

The Secret Garden follows Sakiko a girl that is obsessed with money since childhood, that obsession leads her to do such funny and actually great (?) things that normal people would get commended for if they did, many people usually talk about being particularly inspired by noble things such as knowledge, strength etc... but in Sakiko's case her sole driving motive is only money which is so funny because movies usually depict money-hungry people as people doomed and immoral so it's funny to see how the other extreme looks like and it's funny as heck.

The comedy is tightly packed in this 1 hr 23 min movie giving you almost no place to rest, if it would've been longer then it wouldn't have made sense so I really appreciate that it's short!

The cinematography is also simple and effective, very great shots throughout the movie, it looks gorgeous even if it was made 1997- also the soundtrack with Irish motifs (perhaps a hint on the luck of the Irish/leprechauns with money?) is so funny, it gives the movie a jolly tone throughout.

Check this movie out for a fun romp that'll tickle your funny bone. Shinobu Yaguchi is such a talented director!

Very Funny comedy from Japan

[Andy-296 · 10/10 · 3 February 2000]

This is a very funny japanese comedy. Explaining the plot (basically, it's about a young woman's search for a treasure and the extent to what she will go to do it) will not do the movie justice. Specially funny it's the main actress impassive deadpan performance.

(^-^)/ it's all about the money... $$$$$

[Nurgling · 10/10 · 26 August 2002]

This film has ever been a favourite of mine since I've seen him. I like its kind of humour which made me laugh for the entire movie. I have to admit that I like watching japanese films but this one should be very funny to everyone. For those who liked this film I recommend 'Postman Blues' another very good japanese film of similar quality. Too bad that 'Himitsu no hanazono' is only available on VHS to this day. I really hope this changes some day... You just have to see what a woman might do to get a case full of money!

Loses something in the translation.......

[merklekranz · 4/10 · 11 October 2008]

This would be my first Japanese movie other than monster classics like "Rodan". It will likely be my last Japanese comedy. Although the cast is game, the humor is somewhat lame. A few sight gags, but for the most part it seems very repetitive and the use of "stunt dolls" is another glaring negative. I'm sure Woody Allen doesn't play big in Japan, so my missing the Japanese humor here in the United States really isn't surprising. "My Secret Cache" is not a bad movie for the right audience, and I am certainly not trashing it, but as comedic entertainment the movie failed to impress................................MERK

Thursday night's movie

[Jaime-15 · 18 March 1999]

Last night I saw the 1996 movie: Himitsu no hanazono . It was a simple yet fun movie. Fun for the whole family and something everyone could relate to. James xoxo.

Cache is a winner!

[poikkeus1 · 9/10 · 5 December 2022]

My Secret Cache (aka My Secret Garden) is a winning, deadpan comedy - thanks mainly to the winsome soundtrack, and the hilarious performance of Naomi Nishida.

Akiko (Nishida) has always liked money, but her job as a bank teller left her a little disillusioned. In a twist of fate, she's kidnapped by hapless bank robbers, leaving her a only taste of wealth. So, she the long way to get that money back.

Nishida's character is said to be "ugly" by a few characters, but at best, she's cute and almost cluelessly blunt. Since she's in nearly every frame, it ends up being a story of a young woman's realization that once you find inner wealth, money inevitably follows.

A naive notion? Perhaps, but Cache is a completely disarming comedy, and the slapdash special effects and editing can't erase its basic charm. It's fine on video, but the film really works with a live audience.