by Jon Partridge
This is a true story… Words designed to grab a viewer and draw them in, to add another level of engagement to the plight of the characters they will see unfolding on screen in front of them. Kumiko the Treasure Hunter opens with a glimpse of these five simple words but uses them to propel the narrative in a very different and very compelling way to a simple retelling of a true story.
Kumiko is a downtrodden secretary in Tokyo who becomes obsessed with a worn out VHS copy of the Coen Brother’s film Fargo. She believes the suitcase of money buried in the film exists and it offers her only hope to escape the misery of her life. Thus begins her journey to America armed only with a stolen credit card from her boss, determined to find this fortune and change her own.
Kumiko the Treasure Hunter is a film that is weirdly both inspirational and downbeat in equal measure. The idea for the film, apparently spawned from a urban legend, is a simple one, but provides ample scope for a character study of a broken yet hopeful soul. Kumiko lives a lonely life disconnected from those around her, unsurprising given the subservient view in which many women are held in Japanese culture. With only her rabbit Bunzo for company, obsessively re-watching Fargo, calculating where the briefcase is and making her own map after her attempts to steal once from a local library meet with (comedic) failure. This obsession becomes matched by her single-minded determination to get to Fargo despite the obstacles that crop up in her path.
Kumiko is a broken character but you can’t help but root for her despite her obvious psychological break. Pushing on through the snow strewn Midwest in her bright red coat, a lone symbol of hope and mild insanity. Rinko Kikuchi is fantastic in role, a deep performance that veers from determined to naive and to utterly deluded, but never failing to elicit empathy. She conveys more with her eyes and body language that many actresses do with a whole film’s worth of dialogue. There’s a haunting sense Kumiko is on a path to her doom at times but thanks to Kikuchi, it is tempered by an admiration and hope she succeeds in her impossible task.
Director David Zellner has crafted a wonderful journey through the mundane landscape of Minnesota that feels somewhat mythical at times. Conviction married with delusion often meets with disturbing results but this quirky tale conveys a hopeful determination. The film draws more than the lure of treasure from Fargo, embracing some of the quirky traits of the Coen brothers from the smattering of local eccentric “characters” to the karmic nature of many of their features. While lacking pace at times you are never anything but engaged by the trials of Kumiko or the beautiful landscapes she journeys through all by a wonderfully complimentary soundtrack from The Octopus Project. While it fails to have a deeper meaning or convey a profound message, it is a sweet testament to how a glimmer of hope can drive a person to make a change, whether it is from a battered old VHS tape or something more reputable.
THE PACKAGE
The aesthetics of Kumiko the Treasure Hunter range from a gritty Tokyo to the crisp, snow covered landscapes of Minnesota. Both are shown off nicely in this transfer. Details are good as are colors. It’s a beautiful movie and the quality of the presentation here does the cinematography justice.
Special features include nearly 7 minutes of deleted/alternate scenes and an audio commentary with writer/director David Zellner, writer/producer Nathan Zellner and producer Chris Ohlson. They discuss the long term development of the film including its initial conception before moving on to various aspects of the filming itself. A very insightful addition and sure to please fans.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Kumiko the Treasure Hunter is a testament to the ability of humanity to dream of a better life, and also our incredible ability to delude ourselves. A beautifully wrought tale presented with some nice extras that showcases the charm of this wonderful film.
Kumiko the Treasure Hunter is available on Blu-ray June 30th.