Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2014)

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter: Directed by David Zellner. With Rinko Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Katsube, Kanako Higashi, Ichi Kyokaku. A jaded Japanese woman discovers a hidden copy of Fargo (1996) on VHS, believing it to be a treasure map indicating the location of a large case of money.

“Kumiko is a droll and often disengaged work. Taking itu0026#39;s central idea from a media misstep on a true story Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter takes a path of solitude and contemplation. Itu0026#39;s not often that a film is so rudimentary in itu0026#39;s storytelling while being so proficient in setting itu0026#39;s world and reeling you into it. Kumiko is anchored by a great performance from Rinko Kikuchi. One that often treads the line of stoicism while being peppered with flashes of perfect comedic timing and emotional unrest. A difficult performance to hold down, and Kikuchi does so, at times, masterfully.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn Kumiko we are shown time and time again how mundane and unfulfilled her life has become. Kumiko needs something. Some sense of purpose. An adventure. She finds this in her belief that she can recover the buried money, or treasure, from the film Fargo. A truly preposterous starting off point for a story and one that could only be from a misunderstood quote from a real life event. Yes, the basis for this film is indeed rooted in reality. Albeit a misconstrued footnote from the tragic life of Takako Konishi.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDirector David Zellner leads this film with great aplomb. His pacing is painstakingly slow though it is very much so deliberate. He lulls the viewer into a state of near boredom to drive home the mundane life Kumiko is enduring. His pairing with cinematographer Sean Porter could very well result in a masterwork in the near future. The two of them lens this film to perfection. Every shot is a gorgeous wonder to look at. Kumiko is often center frame on full display for all to see. This is important as she is a nobody in her life, yet here on this journey of heru0026#39;s she is the subject of interest. Their positioning of her here is quite brilliant. The snow riddled landscapes of Minnesota and North Dakota are beautifully majestic as the backdrop of Kumikou0026#39;s treasure hunt.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eKumiko, The Treasure Hunter is a bizarre, haunting, darkly comedic, and powerful journey of a troubled individual looking to up the ante on the flop out of a poor hand having been dealt by life. Gorgeously shot and brilliantly performed by itu0026#39;s lead this sure to be polarizing film is an experience to behold. Itu0026#39;s creeping pace will offset some, but ultimately there is more than enough here to make itu0026#39;s duration worth your while. 8/10.”