Review of Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (2014) by Matthew S — 29 Jun 2015

It is not always a negative when film causes discomfort or leaves the viewer troubled after seeing it. The challenge for me is that I needed a bit of distance and then a "revisit" to this movie to articulate my opinion.

The Zellner Brothers have created a film that is a bit closer to "truth" than The Coen Brothers' "Fargo" back in 1996. The Coen Bros' cleverly elevated the cultural satire of "Fargo" to lead us to believe it had all been based on fact. There was no real Internet for us to access to determine if there was any "reality" in the story of "Fargo" at that time. We now know that there was actually nothing "true" about "Fargo" except the disquieting "truth" that it most certainly could have happened.

David and Nathan Zellner's film is an abstractly loose variation on an actual incident involving a Japanese woman who died in the unforgiving climate of Fargo's winter. The real "truth" was she was there to revisit memories of a past love. But due to misunderstanding her English prior to her death, a false rumor began to form into a "truth" that she had traveled to Fargo to find what she "believed" to be the stolen money buried in The Coen Brothers' 1996 film. "Kumiko Treasure Hunter" plays with the the idea that has remained firmly grounded in the realms of urban myths generated by "Fargo" the movie.

Rinko Kikuchi gives a painfully realistic performance of a woman so depressed and detached from her own world in Tokyo -- her only "friend" is her pet rabbit, she is seems unable or unwilling to "connect" within anyone other than her pet. Wisely, it is never explained why or how Kumiko manages to "unearth" a battered VHS tape of "Fargo" But it is clear she mistakes that iconic film's opening statement, "This is a true story" for "fact" and assumes she is seeing some sort of documentary. Her inability to apply logic to her situation and desires leads her to abandon everything, including her beloved pet rabbit, to find her way to Minnesota in pursuit of what she now perceives to be her life's mission. She is hellbent on finding that case of money she saw Steve Buscemi buries in the snow.

David Zellner's film is even more quirky than Coen's "Fargo." But this quirkiness is established in the ways we see a clearly unstable woman interacting with her Japanese peers, boss, family and the local Americans as she refuses to relent in her pursuit. It is a fascinating journey to follow. Mixing realistically comic encounters with the increasing uneasy tone is achieved by a balance of acting fused with effective musical score / camera work. The movie is constantly challenging the viewer to know if it is "ok" to chuckle/laugh or if this reaction is inappropriate.

Rinko Kikuchi never drifts away from what is clearly a tragically lost character in dire need of help. This entire cinematic experience is both fascinating and devastating in equal measures. Kumiko The Treasure Hunter is one for whom we cheer. And she is also a tragic parable of humanity pursuing dreams that are impossible to achieve.

This masterful film weaves its way into our minds and hearts. One should not miss the opportunity to see this movie. It carries a disarming level of power.