I took a co-worker, who had never heard of the movie or anyone in it. I heard about the movie on my local morning radio station - the main radio star (Jimmy Chunga) is in the movie (albeit a bit part). I had no idea what to expect and was absolutely delighted that it was quirky, silly, ridiculous, campy and everything else I loved about Napoleon Dynamite, except this time set in Salt Lake City (unnamed in the movie) and featuring the clash of culture between Japanese-Americans and Japanese- socially-challenged-folk. It is not for wee ones, but there's nothing overly offensive in the movie. Funny thing: by the end of the movie, I actually cared about the main characters, and couldn't help but think how clever the writers were keeping the characters internally consistent in their interactions. I just couldn't stop laughing during the movie - or long afterwords as my co-worker and I relived our favorite moments.
7 Reviews
Every Family's Got One
MyFilmHabit15 May 2011
The basic story line in this film is pretty straightforward. But it contains enough crazy jokes and visual gags that it doesn't seem overly simple. I'm pretty sure this movie is about the universal theme of: that one creepy uncle that everyone seems to have. He's usually a little pervy. He's a burden on the rest of the family, asking for all kinds of special favors—mostly because he never seems to be very firmly employed. And, Hajime (or Jimmy, as he likes to be called now that he's living in America) is rocking all of these personality traits. He's currently living with big-sis (sharing a bunk bed in her little son's bedroom, to be exact). She took him in because she saw that after his divorce, her little brother couldn't quite manage to keep himself reliably fed and sheltered. To make matters even more complicated, now Jimmy has taken to ogling his brother-in-law's attractive college-aged niece, Ramona. And he's not subtle with his affections either—busting into her bedroom, reading her diary, and loitering outside her college classes. (Hey, it's not gross if they're not related by blood, right?) What a gem. But his little, genius nephew, Bob, is there to make sure Jimmy doesn't get into too much trouble.
This crazy guy has been trying his luck on the dating scene, but has had little success. Somehow, the ladies seem able to resist the charms of this prize of a man. Although, as far as creepy uncles go, Jimmy's not actually all that threatening. He doesn't mean any harm. He's mostly just mind-blowingly dense. This isn't just your everyday, run-of-the-mill dysfunction. It's bang-your-head-against-the-wall, Jesus-face-palm level failure. You'd like to be able to write of Jimmy's antics as merely cultural misunderstanding (he's a new arrival from Japan). But, I think that'd be a little insulting to all the other recent immigrants out there. I mean, big-sis and brother-in-law are also relatively recent transplants, yet they manage to hold things together pretty well.
The overall tone of this film is goofy. The synopsis may make the story sound a little creepy and stalkerish, but I assure you that it's a straight-up comedy. Just when you think Hajime has finally outdone himself, he goes and finds an even more outrageous way to make a fool of himself (and thoroughly embarrass everyone within ear-shot). That's a special talent. His family keeps trying to help him get back on his feet (and out of their home), but he keeps finding even more spectacular ways of screwing everything up. But it's not too painful or cringe-worthy to watch. Ultimately, Jimmy is lovable, so we can understand why everyone just wants to help him out. He's got to get it right one of these days, right?
This crazy guy has been trying his luck on the dating scene, but has had little success. Somehow, the ladies seem able to resist the charms of this prize of a man. Although, as far as creepy uncles go, Jimmy's not actually all that threatening. He doesn't mean any harm. He's mostly just mind-blowingly dense. This isn't just your everyday, run-of-the-mill dysfunction. It's bang-your-head-against-the-wall, Jesus-face-palm level failure. You'd like to be able to write of Jimmy's antics as merely cultural misunderstanding (he's a new arrival from Japan). But, I think that'd be a little insulting to all the other recent immigrants out there. I mean, big-sis and brother-in-law are also relatively recent transplants, yet they manage to hold things together pretty well.
The overall tone of this film is goofy. The synopsis may make the story sound a little creepy and stalkerish, but I assure you that it's a straight-up comedy. Just when you think Hajime has finally outdone himself, he goes and finds an even more outrageous way to make a fool of himself (and thoroughly embarrass everyone within ear-shot). That's a special talent. His family keeps trying to help him get back on his feet (and out of their home), but he keeps finding even more spectacular ways of screwing everything up. But it's not too painful or cringe-worthy to watch. Ultimately, Jimmy is lovable, so we can understand why everyone just wants to help him out. He's got to get it right one of these days, right?
Wildly uneven but there's something about this film you gotta like...
planktonrules13 November 2011
While I will be the first to admit that "White on Rice" didn't always work, the overall picture is so fresh and quirky that I still recommend it. It's a film from David Boyle--a writer/director/actor who totally captivated me and my wife when we recently saw his "Big Dreams Little Tokyo". Using the barest of budgets, Boyle has managed to once again make a film with characters you just have to love--very, very quirky ones at that.
Jimmy is a pathetic Japanese divorcée who has left his country and moved in with his sister's family in the States. Jimmy is nearing 40 and has little to show for himself--not much of a job, no love life and he sleeps in the top bunk of his nephew's bunk-bed! However, when his brother-in-law's niece moves in temporarily, the dopey Jimmy is totally infatuated and soon behaves like an even bigger dope. At times, he is a little creepy--like a stalker--and I wish the film had not made him quite so extreme and creepy here. But, just when it seems to have gone over the top, it fortunately finds its way.
Throughout the story, there are LOTS of wonderful characters. The nephew, Bob, is great. So is the Banana Lady and many other folks scattered throughout the film. This is DEFINITELY a film for those who like independent cinema and want a film totally un-Hollywood in style. Well worth seeing despite a few lulls.
By the way, that's the director, David Boyle, inside the coffin in the funeral home segment! He's the second body you see and you have to look close for him in his trademark geek glasses. This is a WONDERFUL touch for his fans--as is seeing a poster for "White on Rice" in his previous film, "Big Dreams Little Tokyo"! Cute.
Jimmy is a pathetic Japanese divorcée who has left his country and moved in with his sister's family in the States. Jimmy is nearing 40 and has little to show for himself--not much of a job, no love life and he sleeps in the top bunk of his nephew's bunk-bed! However, when his brother-in-law's niece moves in temporarily, the dopey Jimmy is totally infatuated and soon behaves like an even bigger dope. At times, he is a little creepy--like a stalker--and I wish the film had not made him quite so extreme and creepy here. But, just when it seems to have gone over the top, it fortunately finds its way.
Throughout the story, there are LOTS of wonderful characters. The nephew, Bob, is great. So is the Banana Lady and many other folks scattered throughout the film. This is DEFINITELY a film for those who like independent cinema and want a film totally un-Hollywood in style. Well worth seeing despite a few lulls.
By the way, that's the director, David Boyle, inside the coffin in the funeral home segment! He's the second body you see and you have to look close for him in his trademark geek glasses. This is a WONDERFUL touch for his fans--as is seeing a poster for "White on Rice" in his previous film, "Big Dreams Little Tokyo"! Cute.
Strong, doesn't hold my interest
copperncherrio13 March 2011
I was fairly disappointed with this movie. I was so excited for a film centered around an Asian American family. However, I didn't really get attached to this movie as much as I hope for. The story line, although strong, doesn't hold my interest. I didn't really care for the main guy, or have much empathy for him or his story.
He takes advantage of his family, whether he means to or not. The best character in this whole movie is BOB, the 10-ish year old kid. His character is the comedic relief and is quite charming.
This movie has its moments, but I found the Uncle Jimmy to be the bane of my existence, in watching this. Although I didn't like it as much as I thought I would, I don't think it was that horrible of a story.
He takes advantage of his family, whether he means to or not. The best character in this whole movie is BOB, the 10-ish year old kid. His character is the comedic relief and is quite charming.
This movie has its moments, but I found the Uncle Jimmy to be the bane of my existence, in watching this. Although I didn't like it as much as I thought I would, I don't think it was that horrible of a story.
a very unusual coming of age story
VivaLaVegas0129 May 2009
This is a very funny movie. It's sort of the classic coming-of-age story, except it's about a guy who turns 40 during the course of the movie. Jimmy is just like a ten year old kid and totally oblivious to the fact that there's anything wrong with that. He goes through the movie wreaking havoc on his long suffering brother-in-law who just wants to get his marriage back to something normal. I saw this at the LA Asian Film Festival and the audience ate it up. I'm not Asian (my fiancée is Korean and worked for the fest and recommended it), I suspect there's a lot of humor here that is even more funny to Japanese people. Very funny to me was Jimmy's nephew Bob, who's as mature as Jimmy is childlike. A lot of great performances by the smaller parts. One in particular is The Banana Girl (Joy Osmanski) who you should definitely look for in other things because she really lit up the screen.
I don't know if this will ever come to the local multiplex, but you should definitely hunt it down. Well worth the effort.
I don't know if this will ever come to the local multiplex, but you should definitely hunt it down. Well worth the effort.
Quite funny and delightfully quirky
biggins26 October 2009
This movie is very funny. It started out a little slow, and the humor sometimes depends on awkwardness (which isn't my favorite type, but if you like the Office it will probably appeal to you more), but there were a lot of great one-liners that I'll probably remember and quote for a long time. The acting was very good, especially the nephew (I believe the character's name was Bob?) who was wonderfully deadpan. It's kind of like a Japanese Napoleon Dynamite, with a touch of The Office mixed in, but endearing in its own way. I would definitely recommend it to just about anyone. (Warning: there is a fair amount of comedic blood in two scenes, so if you're queasy about that look away during the obvious scenes)
Very interesting, very honest and very moving..
eshvartz31 October 2010
A remarkable movie about yet another piece of the American mosaic yet it really reminds the viewer of himself and the people in his life.
"White on Rice" strikes a perfect balance between the interesting and attracting side of cinema and the honest and realistic one.
Clean and esthetically made comedy that captures the simple thrills of ordinary peoples lives.
Light and fun to watch but also makes you think afterward.
It's these combinations that make this movie so worth watching, the current low score it has is unjustified.
If you're open minded and unaffected by stereotypes you will really enjoy this movie. Warmly recommended, Eitan
"White on Rice" strikes a perfect balance between the interesting and attracting side of cinema and the honest and realistic one.
Clean and esthetically made comedy that captures the simple thrills of ordinary peoples lives.
Light and fun to watch but also makes you think afterward.
It's these combinations that make this movie so worth watching, the current low score it has is unjustified.
If you're open minded and unaffected by stereotypes you will really enjoy this movie. Warmly recommended, Eitan
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
