Review of Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2014) by K Nife C — 29 Mar 2016

Imagine Werner Herzog directing a Coen brothers' screenplay with David Lynch on editing and sound design. This movie is kinda like that. A Japanese office lady stumbles on a VHS copy of Fargo, and thinks that there is an actual briefcase of cash buried in the snow, so much so that she goes on a journey to Minnesota to find it.

Hilarious premise with great execution, and it is hard not to relate to her constant frustration with how her peers, society, and strangers expect her to conduct her life. Of note here is her taking literally the introductory frame of Fargo that states "This is a True Story".

The ambiguity in her ability to delineate dramatized history from true reality is indicative of the modern movie experience (and Kumiko's mental illness). There have been so many movies this year (and many on this list) that purport themselves to be based on true events.

Let's be honest here, any film that has humans in a mundane setting under non-fantastical circumstances is "inspired/based on true events". I thought the fun part about movies is that they are an escape from our unremarkable, linear experience and perspective.

But if a piece of fiction is just too out there to suspend one's disbelief, I suppose it is best to put up a disclaimer that lets people know it is "kind of real".