Review of Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011) by Kok Hoong F — 04 Sep 2012

"I do the same thing over and over, improving bit by bit. There is always a yearning to achieve more. I'll continue to climb, trying to reach the top, but no one knows where the top is.".

Synopsis: Jiro Ono is an 85 year old sushi master who's 10 seat, $300 a plate restaurant is legendary among japanese foodies.

It should be no surprise to anyone living in america to learn that sushi isn't the most popular type of food in the united states. We are more of a beef people. Hell, I am routinely reminded that americans in general do not even appreciate regular Fish the way that perhaps we should. Perhaps just as unsurprisingly, this is definitely not the case with Japan. The country comparatively eats, breaths, and sleeps fish. And sushi is bigger no where else in the world. Enter sushi chef Jiro Ono, considered by some to be Japan's premier sushi chef and therefore the world's foremost expert on all things raw fish cuisine.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is little more than a character study of Jiro, his life, and his restaurant. First we get a good understanding of why he's so revered. Besides the fact that he's been making sushi since he was 10 years old, or that there was once a time when he was inventing sushi dishes no one had thought possible. That his single-minded obsession and passion for sushi is so strong that with such a dedication and specialization, one will surely find success.

When Jiro is gone, lost to the marching of father time, so too will the delicious sushi he created. No one will be able to experience sushi with such genius ever again. Or will they? The film implies that Jiro's knowledge and philosophies have been passed down to his sons and other apprentices, like any great tradition or art. That the epitome of sushi preparation will reside in the little 10 seat eatery for many decades to come.

But even if you hate sushi you should find something to like about Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The film is less a documentary and more a tone poem in the vain of Terrence Malick or Godfrey Reggio's qatsi trilogy. The film's refined cinematography of finished sushi dishes is as appetizing as is beautiful and Gelb's simple direction serves to bring the film's subject to the forefront of the viewer's mind.

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a simple yet delicious documentary. Mirroring it's subject of interest.