Food is what brings everyone together. Food, no matter what part of the world you are in, serves as the uniting ground for cultures, people, and ideas. The best food, however, doesn't always need to be in the fancy expensive restaurants that many visit to get their fill on special occasions. In the documentary, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, we are shown that great food is art, and can be found in the smallest of places. In this film, viewers are taken to Tokyo where they are shown how an 85 year-old man has perfected the art of sushi in a small train station shop. Jiro Ono, the owner of this establishment has been working his entire life to perfect the art of his sushi, and as a testament to his creations he was awarded 3 Michelin stars, which is the highest culinary honor for any restaurant. The documentary delves into how Jiro is extremely hard working as to despise holidays because they are too long, displays the precision of creating each piece of sushi, and shows why this restaurant is truly a masterpiece. While the premise seems quite simple, this documentary opened my eyes as to how culinary masterpieces should be created and showed me that there is always room for improvement, no matter what field you are working in. This documentary was crafted for the common man who doesn't know much more about sushi than anyone else and by targeting this audience the filmmakers are able to provide much insight into the art of sushi. One of the main points the film harps on is the precision Jiro uses to make his sushi. Constant taste tests, quality assurance at the fish market, and serving his food at the correct temperature are all just some of the routine things Jiro takes into account when crafting his sushi. In the film, a man comes into the store to see if they have menus, and in response Jiro simply says that they only serve sushi and what is right on that specific day. Simple tasks like making rice even take a ten minute portion of the film as to show that something that in the US we take for granted with grocery-store sushi is, in other places, something that takes years to perfect. Even the interns who work at Jiro's work for 15 years with no pay, however once they obtain their training go on to make quality sushi in their own restaurants. Overall, this film takes the viewer through the daily life of Jiro, show how he crafts wonderful sushi through his precision, quality assurance, and drive to constantly improve.
Sushi, while to some may seem a trivial topic, is documented in this film in order to show how hard work and accuracy can create greatness. Throughout the film, people around Jiro constantly talk about how he works non-stop, lives his life through his work, and doesn't serve anything subpar. This kind of mentality of one who works hard and doesn't take no for an answer is one of the main themes presented in this film. By using quotations from both close and distant people to Jiro ranging from his son to the fish market vendor, the film is able to truly show what people think of Jiro. Through quotations from the fish vendor saying that because Jiro is such a perfectionist he only sells the toughest rice that has to be cooked in a particular manner to Jiro, one is able to see just how much quality is important to Jiro. Therefore by using other quotations from various people in Tokyo, the film is able to show how through precision and accuracy, one is able to achieve much more than having substandard levels.
While one message portrayed is one about perfectionism, one of the main challenges of the filmmakers is to show the audience how something is perfect. With food, the viewer cannot taste what is being shown, and therefore it is the film's job to portray flavor through images. In order to invoke taste, and even have myself drooling during the film, the producers use extremely high quality cameras, and whimsical music in order to take your taste buds on a journey through the TV. When each piece of sushi is being made, the filmmakers first show the process for each individual piece, and then once Jiro leaves it on the plate, the film takes roughly 5 seconds to zoom into and around each piece of art. By displaying each piece as its own masterpiece with high quality cameras, one starts to taste and feel the extravagance placed on the plate. In addition to zooming in to each piece of food, the film uses whimsical, classical music that picks up right when each piece is shown. So while the piece is being prepared, there is a build up in music and once the sushi is placed on the plate, there is an explosion of music that takes the viewer to a different musical state. Through the mastering of zooming, HD cameras, and musical supplements, the film is able to accurately make the reader taste the greatness and thus verify how hard work and precision pay off into a masterpiece.
Overall, this film was a delight to watch as it told a great story about hard work and determination and showed that even at 85 years old, one can still make their life exciting and masterful. I highly recommend this film for anyone, and because of it, I'm going to go grab some sushi. While it may not be as masterful as Jiro's dream, I think it'll do for the moment.
Sushi, while to some may seem a trivial topic, is documented in this film in order to show how hard work and accuracy can create greatness. Throughout the film, people around Jiro constantly talk about how he works non-stop, lives his life through his work, and doesn't serve anything subpar. This kind of mentality of one who works hard and doesn't take no for an answer is one of the main themes presented in this film. By using quotations from both close and distant people to Jiro ranging from his son to the fish market vendor, the film is able to truly show what people think of Jiro. Through quotations from the fish vendor saying that because Jiro is such a perfectionist he only sells the toughest rice that has to be cooked in a particular manner to Jiro, one is able to see just how much quality is important to Jiro. Therefore by using other quotations from various people in Tokyo, the film is able to show how through precision and accuracy, one is able to achieve much more than having substandard levels.
While one message portrayed is one about perfectionism, one of the main challenges of the filmmakers is to show the audience how something is perfect. With food, the viewer cannot taste what is being shown, and therefore it is the film's job to portray flavor through images. In order to invoke taste, and even have myself drooling during the film, the producers use extremely high quality cameras, and whimsical music in order to take your taste buds on a journey through the TV. When each piece of sushi is being made, the filmmakers first show the process for each individual piece, and then once Jiro leaves it on the plate, the film takes roughly 5 seconds to zoom into and around each piece of art. By displaying each piece as its own masterpiece with high quality cameras, one starts to taste and feel the extravagance placed on the plate. In addition to zooming in to each piece of food, the film uses whimsical, classical music that picks up right when each piece is shown. So while the piece is being prepared, there is a build up in music and once the sushi is placed on the plate, there is an explosion of music that takes the viewer to a different musical state. Through the mastering of zooming, HD cameras, and musical supplements, the film is able to accurately make the reader taste the greatness and thus verify how hard work and precision pay off into a masterpiece.
Overall, this film was a delight to watch as it told a great story about hard work and determination and showed that even at 85 years old, one can still make their life exciting and masterful. I highly recommend this film for anyone, and because of it, I'm going to go grab some sushi. While it may not be as masterful as Jiro's dream, I think it'll do for the moment.
