Review of Cutie and the Boxer (2013) by Brad S — 12 Jun 2015

A weirdly engaging look at a husband and wife who are both artists, feeding off each other for inspiration and support. The film builds and builds as we get to know these two quirky people and find out why they stay together even when they can't seem to get along most of the time. Their relationship is not unlike so many long term married couples. They find a way to make it "work".

The filmmaking is really strong, bringing emotion to the story through lingering up close looks at both Cutie and The Boxer. It's pretty fun watching this old man punch away at his canvas. You realize it's not the art itself but the process that is the art. The filming of Ushio punching the canvas is the art. And without that look into the making of the art, I'm not sure the art itself would have much meaning. I'll forever have the image of this old man in goggles punching the canvas in my mind.