Movie Review: Toyko Cowboy

 

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

A wonderful feel-good movie. 

In many ways this film about a Japanese businessman going to America with his pitch for how a group of American ranchers should do things and gaining a better understanding of these people instead, is quite familiar. However, this film tells the story with such sincerity and convection that it feels completely fresh. What makes this movie work so well is that the filmmakers obviously have respect for each character. The filmmakers acknowledge the differences between the two cultures and often use this for humor. However, the characters themselves never come off as jokes or meanspirited caricatures. Also, the big city slicker never comes off as the villain intruding on the ranchers. Rather this is a film about two different sides growing a greater understanding of one another. This is something that is frankly more interesting than what a Hallmark type of movie would have done with this premise of having the businessman either as the villain or the love interest who learns how evil his company is. However, the main character does go through a bit of transformation through the film. Yet this is done in a way that feels completely believable and never forced. The character feels like the same man all the way through. Though there are many ways he changes, there are many ways we know he will never change. This movie is also very funny, and I was surprised at just how many times I laughed out loud watching this. 

This is a pure delight of a movie.