Kikujiro (2000)
69%RT Audience Score: 62%
Awards & Nominations: 4 wins & 4 nominations
Kikujiro is a film that is both heartwarming and gut-wrenching, a true testament to the masterful storytelling of director Takeshi Kitano. While some may find the mix of slapstick and sentiment to be a bit queasy, Kitano’s wry sense of humor and rigorous detachment make it impossible not to be drawn into the story. The film’s titular character is a delightfully funny and endearing creation, brought to life by Kitano’s exquisite timing and ability to mine both laughs and heartache in a single instant. Kikujiro is a quiet masterpiece that will leave you both delighted and affected long after the credits have rolled.
Kikujiro is a movie that’s like a rollercoaster ride – it’s a mix of emotions that will make you feel queasy, happy, and sad all at the same time. Some critics loved it, while others found it hard to digest. But for me, it was a quiet masterpiece that left me feeling delighted and affected long after the movie ended. Kitano’s timing and ability to mine both laughs and heartache in a single instant is simply gorgeous. It’s a movie about alienation and guardianship that will tug at your heartstrings and make you laugh out loud. So, if you’re looking for a movie that’s both fun and emotional, Kikujiro is the perfect choice!
Production Company(ies)
M K2 Productions, France 3 Cinéma C AB Productions,
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo, Japan
MPAA / Certificate
Rated PG-13 for a threatening incident
Year of Release
2000
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby Digital
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Aspect ratio:1.85 : 1
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Runtime:2h 2m
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Language(s):Japanese
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): May 26, 2000 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 12, 2000
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Yusuke Sekiguchi, Takeshi Kitano, Yûko Daike, Kazuko Yoshiyuki, Kayoko Kishimoto, Akaji Maro, directed by Takeshi Kitano, written by Takeshi Kitano, drama, PG-13, Masayuki Mori, Takio Yoshida, Sony Pictures Classics, $198.2K box office, reviewed by Kevin Courrier, Patrick Z McGavin, David Rooney, Kevin Thomas, J Hoberman, Michael Thomson, Grant Watson, Christopher Machell, Brian Orndorf, Robin Clifford, Michael Dequina, Masao, summer vacation, estranged mother, 9-year-old boy, immature man, 50,000 yen, journey, threatening incident, Japanese, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Surround, Flat (1.85:1), Masao’s Mother, Masao’s Grandmother, Kikujiro’s Wife, Scary Man
Worldwide gross: $461,259
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $800,015
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,645
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 87,243
US/Canada gross: $200,920
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $348,479
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,423
US/Canada opening weekend: $28,079
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $48,701
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 2,219
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Takeshi Kitano – Kikujiro
Yûko Daike – Masao’s Mother
Kazuko Yoshiyuki – Masao’s Grandmother
Kayoko Kishimoto – Kikujiro’s Wife
Akaji Maro – Scary Man
Director(s)
Takeshi Kitano
Writer(s)
Takeshi Kitano
Producer(s)
Masayuki Mori, Takio Yoshida
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
4 wins & 4 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (20)
… the slapstick and sentiment make for a queasy mixture.
March 22, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4
Kevin Courrier
Globe and Mail
TOP CRITIC
… a great deal of fun.
May 11, 2001
Patrick Z. McGavin
Hollywood Reporter
TOP CRITIC
… its treacly mix of emotional manipulation and klutzy comedy will make it hard to digest for most audiences.
February 14, 2001
David Rooney
Variety
TOP CRITIC
The result is a heart-tugger made totally irresistible because of the combination of Kitano’s wry, sly sense of humor and his rigorous detachment.
February 14, 2001 | Rating: 4.5/5
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
These gags work because Kitano has created an intrinsically funny character and because he has perfect timing and a terrific sense of construction.
January 1, 2000
J. Hoberman
Village Voice
TOP CRITIC
Gentle, observational, but punchy and highly amusing …
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/5
Michael Thomson
BBC.com
TOP CRITIC
This is a wonderful movie. It’s so unusually sad, yet so ridiculously happy.
July 24, 2019 | Rating: 10/10
Grant Watson
Fiction Machine
A quiet masterpiece that delights and affects long after its revels have ended.
January 17, 2017 | Rating: 5/5
Christopher Machell
CineVue
Leads with Kitano’s exquisite timing and ability to mine both laughs and heartache in a single instant. It’s a gorgeous take on alienation and guardianship.
December 7, 2009 | Rating: A
Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com
April 9, 2005 | Rating: D+
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews
January 13, 2004 | Rating: 2/5
Michael Dequina
TheMovieReport.com
Filtered through Kitano’s distant and deadpan touch, the material works, and it works well.
November 21, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid…
Plot
A lonely 9-year-old boy sets out to find his estranged mother with the help of an immature man who has never had any serious responsibilities in Kikujiro.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film stars Takeshi Kitano, who is known for his violent movies, but in this film, he shows a more sentimental and gentle side.
Takeshi-Kitano.jpg
