Chonmage Pudding : A Time Traveling Samurai meets a Struggling Family

There have been many movies and shows about people traveling through time for unexplained reasons. For instance, this season’s (as of writing) 13sai no Hello Work or last year’s Jin. But the trip, at the end of it all, becomes a soul searching character piece. Chonmage Pudding, or A Boy and his Samurai for it’s international release name, is no different. It’s a story about a young samurai suddenly transported 185 years into the future and stumbling into the lives of a struggling single mother and her son. The three, of which, soon undergo a year of rediscovery about themselves and who they are. While a story like this has been done many times before, there’s something endearing with this tale that, in some odd way, makes it stand out amongst the rest.

I had always wanted to see this movie but I never made it a priority to do so. I remember ordering the DVD but canceling it because I wasn’t too sure if I was going to like it. A time traveling samurai that becomes a master chef isn’t the most alluring synopsis in the world and the trailers didn’t help in making the movie look any better. Finally watching the movie made me regret that decision and realize that it’s more than the synopsis or trailer. It’s more than just a tale of a boy and a misplaced samurai, it’s a little deeper.

It’s commentary on social issues. It’s a story of growing up. It’s a piece about moving on. It’s a movie about fulfilling a calling.

Kijima, played by Ryo Nishikido, enters the film as an aggressive, confused, samurai who meets a frantic, stressed out Hiroko, played by Rie Tomosaka. Their meeting is the beginning of a change as their cultures clash against one another. Hiroko is a modern woman, wanting to be in control of her own world, whereas Kijima is a samurai from the distant past, stuck on archaic values that would almost offend a person. Though, through these misunderstandings, they learn from one another. They grow into different people and, eventually, fall in love with each other. But their love is fleeting and barely there, as either are afraid to acknowledge it. Kijima is a man of the past, where displays of affection are kept in the home. Hiroko is a woman of the future, where displays of affection are common place everywhere. It’s those little differences that make this moving charming.

Then there’s the little boy, Tomoya, played by Fuku Suzuki. His character is like every other young, playful, Japanese boy but it’s not necessarily his performance that helps carry the movie but the way his character is written and used. His character is the device that helps mold Kijima and Hiroko. From making Kijima realize the importance of other’s feelings to Hiroko realizing the value of family over the demands of her job. Each character falls due to him but rise again because of him. His character is endearing but also a big point in the storyline.

Acting wise, the movie is what you would expect. There weren’t any ground breaking performances but there weren’t any terrible ones either. Nishikido delivers a well rounded samurai and Hiroko brings a head strong woman. For what the story was worth, it was enough from either one. Though, I had expected Nishikido to act a bit more … disturbed at the sudden change of scenery. One doesn’t simply go from a rice field to a concrete jungle and only be a short state of shock.

The pacing of the movie is quick and doesn’t drag either. It tells the story from start to finish. While there are parts that drag or aren’t as memorable, the last twenty minutes of the movie are absolutely beautiful and bittersweet. It wraps the story up and leaves the audience smiling while wiping tears away (or at least I was).

Chonmage Pudding is not an every day watch. It’s not an all important movie. But its a great family movie. It’s a great feel good movie. It’s something you watch when you’re feeling down. Something to watch when you just want to laugh and feel good. It’s that type of movie. It’s no Oscar winner but it’s definitely something that leaves you feeling… happy. And that’s always a good thing.

I’ll definitely try and get my hands on a the copy of the DVD.

A great movie, overall.