The Ramen Girl

[Ashikaga]

There's this "new" movie that has just opened in Japan titled THE RAMEN GIRL. It stars Brittany Murphy as an American woman who travels all the way to Japan to be with her boyfriend but gets dumped. She finds herself all alone and lost (in more ways than one) in Tokyo. Then she meets a Ramen master chef in a small ramen shop she wanders in. She is comforted and inspired by his ramen, so, she decides to be his aprentice....

Sounds bad, I know, but I happen to like Ms.Murphy and Toshiyuki Nishida who portrays the ramen chef.

I hear that the movie was made in 2006 but never got released. It is being shown in Japanese and other Asian countries' theaters now with still no release date in the US where it was made. Probably will be released straight to DVD.

Has anyone seen it? I am curious.

 

[Dogen Z]

I read somewhere that it's a cross between "Lost in Translation" and "The Karate Kid." Sounds interesting but I still need to see the "Zen" movie first (see the 'More Zen' thread）.

BTW, some studio in Hollywood is planning a remake of the "The Karate Kid" with Jackie Chan playing the Mr. Miyagi role. Looking forward to that even if it's recast as "The Kung Fu Kid."

 

[orochi]

How's she gonna get a work visa washing dishes at a ramen shop?

 

[Ashikaga]

How's she gonna get a work visa washing dishes at a ramen shop?

No idea. Perhaps it isn't that she gets a "job" working in a ramen shop but rather that she just gets lessons in the art of ramen making from the chef.

To Dogen : I've read that it is VERY loosely based on a Japanese movie, Tampopo, a favorite among those Japanese cinema aficionados. I've read blog entries by some of the movie's fans and they think it is a travesty that Hollywood is remaking what they consider to be a classic.

Like I said, the fact it was made a few years ago and never got released until now tells me how bad this could be. I'm just tickled by the idea of seeing Toshiyuki Nishida starring against Brittany Murphy in a Hollywood film.

 

[Amigo]

How's she gonna get a work visa washing dishes at a ramen shop?

I was wondering the same. Those things only happen on movies.

 

[camcam]

It looks so interesting ^^ . Hope to see that, but I don't like the actress so much.

 

[d3jake]

Now there's a move that I'm interested in seeing. I hope they get around to releasing it in the USA.

 

[sumima]

Saw the trailer on TV the other day; i must be honest it looks terrible; would not be rushing out to watch it...has anyone actually seen it yet?

 

[ellechic14]

I am always up for watching movies related to food. Hehehe... no matter how bad the story/acting is.

 

[gtxtom]

Found the movie on isohunt.com if anyone's interested.

 

[justin]

This movie looks like its worth a look. Thanks for posting it ASHIKAGA!

 

[Ashikaga]

This movie looks like its worth a look. Thanks for posting it ASHIKAGA!

It is out on DVD now. I looked for it at the rental shop I go to and they had it but it was out. I will rent it one of these days and will let you know how it is.

 

[epigene]

Looks like it's been released as DVD in the US in May.

The Ramen Girl (2008) - IMDb

Do I want to see it? Uhh..... :sorry:

 

[Ashikaga]

Do I want to see it? Uhh..... :sorry:

Of course, you do!

I was impressed with Ms. Murphy (who plays the titular character) when I saw her in Amy Heckering's CLUELESS in which she plays the dorky new kid in school whom Alicia Silverstone's main character takes under her wings. She also supplied the voice for Luanne in the brilliant animated series, King Of The Hill on FOX.

And what can I say for Mr. Nishida.... He is one my favorite actors and this is his "Hollywood" debut.

OK, the preview doesn't look good, I give you that, but these people are professionals! I am sure they wouldn't do anything that'd embarrass them. Or would they?

Like I said, I will watch it and will tell you if it's worth your time.

 

[Alma]

oh, honestly, this looks terrible to me

another "cinderella" story, that has nothing with real life, and shows how western world still looks at Japan as wonderland, or something like that... if you know what I mean

but, that is only from trailer I am sure I am not watching this!

but i am interested to hear all your comments when you see it

 

[nice gaijin]

Just watched it. Pretty terrible in the same "fish out of water" kind of story that's been all too popular the past few years. Not completely terrible but pretty far fetched and Murphy's acting is flat as a pancake. The ending is beyond cheeze. Hard to recommend.

I'm also wondering what the hell is with all these filmmakers portraying Japanese apartments as being larger than a bread box. I don't expect them to be accurate or anything but come on!

 

[orochi]

The ramen shop owner was a beast though. Did you see how quickly he moved through those bottles of whisky?

 

[nice gaijin]

Maezumi was played by Toshiyuki Nishida, of 釣りバカ日誌 fame. He did a fine job in his role, but that hardly makes up for the expatriate characters' blandness.

 

[Mockingbird0]

I thought this movie was very nice.

 

[serenacorbat]

Hello all.I am Serena.I am a big fan of movies and Tv shows.The Ramen Girl is an amazing movie,i like it.

 

[Ashikaga]

I have finally watched The Ramen Girl. OK, first of all, as a ramen lover, I was insulted by the way they treated ramen in this film. I did not feel any love whatsoever toward ramen from the filmmaker/s. It didn't even make me hungry for a bowl while watching it, and that says a lot.

I know many of the plot points were very forced and unrealistic but this one takes the cake. The ramen served up by the Nishida character was supposed to be soooo good that the Murphy character put her life on hold and decided to become his apprentice! They would have to at least make the ramen look good, don't you think?

I just don't know WHAT they wanted this film to be. A fish-out-of-water culture clash comedy a la National Lampoon's European Vacation? An American's meditation on her/his life set in an exotic locale a la Lost In Translation? A wannabe 窶敕ｼ窶督｡窶堋ｵ窶堙ｱ窶堙 fantasy culinary manga comes to life with the big ramen cook-off at the end? I don't think The Ramen Girl succeeds as any of the above.

So, I give one out of five. As bad as the film is, I like the lead actors and I DID get a kick out of seeing Toshiyuki Nishida and Brittany Murphy together.

 

[Ashikaga]

I am saddened by the news of Brittany Murphy, one of the stars of this film, passing away. R.I.P. Ramen Girl! I will miss you.

 

[anuko]

I like The ramen girl 。いい話。

 

[dalejustin1]

This was my first view of Britany Murphy in a movie, "The Ramen Girl". I was impressed with her acting and presence on screen. With all the new Hollywood stars coming out of the woodwork these days, you begin to lose track about who's good and who's not so good. This movie has definitely etched a niche for her as a capable actor and hope she manages her career accordingly with her remarkable talent.

 

[Chidoriashi]

This was my first view of Britany Murphy in a movie, "The Ramen Girl". I was impressed with her acting and presence on screen. With all the new Hollywood stars coming out of the woodwork these days, you begin to lose track about who's good and who's not so good. This movie has definitely etched a niche for her as a capable actor and hope she manages her career accordingly with her remarkable talent.

Umm... considering she is dead.. anything she does from now would most certainly be a stunning performance.