Review of Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011) by Joe A — 29 Aug 2012

"Jiro Dreams Of Sushi" is an absolutely wonderful documentary about 85 year old Jiro Ono, a man renown as being the world's greatest sushi chef. And not only is director David Gelb's film a portrait of a man who has found what he loves doing and has literally made it his life but, an in-depth look at the traditions and ways of the making of sushi from the picking out of the best fish to all the precise preparations.

All this is told through the eyes of Jiro and his oldest son and heir to his restaurant, Yoshikazu. We learn about a Jiro, a perfectionist and traditionalist who rarely is away from his 10 seat restaurant situated in a Tokyo subway station, as he prepares his sushi and teaches his son and apprentices an art he has crafted to perfection.

It's hard not to admire and be inspired by a man who truly loves what he does and works tirelessly making sure everything is perfect every day. Despite being an intensely demanding man he remains a very happy and charming one and it's hard not to like Jiro and why would you not want to? And if the heartwarming story of the energetic master Jiro and his world famous sushi restaurant is not enough, this may be the most loving ode to sushi itself ever committed to film.

A truly fascinating documentary about a truly fascinating and admirable man. I can't recommend this documentary enough.