I have traveled many times to Japan and couldn't help but evaluate some of this movie based on my experiences. But the larger issue I had with this movie are the characters: spoiled, self centered and entitled. They are hard to like or care much about.
No doubt that arriving in Japan you are jet lagged and tired especially if you've not slept on the plane. The colorful neon lights were nicely highlighted in Murray's character's arrival at the hotel with his image on the billboard allowing us to know that he is a celebrity.
Murray portrays that but his rudeness is insulting. The Japanese go out of their way to be polite and way out of their way because of his celebrity with Murray's character acting if it is somehow expected. He's a washed up actor making more money than most people earn in a lifetime for doing nothing. And we are supposed to feel sorry for him? His wife is trying to relate to him in the only way she knows how and he can't be bothered. His arrogance in the hotel lounge is offensive.
Johansson's character is equally ridiculous. What is she doing tagging along with her husband. He's there on business not a vacation. She's very young with a college degree - stay home and get a job and start a career rather than sitting in the window sill feeling sorry for yourself.
Half the fun of going to Japan is its uniqueness. I liked that the movie shows Mt Fuji, going to the temple, the Karaoke singing, travel on high speed rail, the wild TV shows, etc. The lead characters do eventually embrace some of the fun rather than being superior.
Obviously the movie rubbed me the wrong way. This is not a movie that I can recommend.
No doubt that arriving in Japan you are jet lagged and tired especially if you've not slept on the plane. The colorful neon lights were nicely highlighted in Murray's character's arrival at the hotel with his image on the billboard allowing us to know that he is a celebrity.
Murray portrays that but his rudeness is insulting. The Japanese go out of their way to be polite and way out of their way because of his celebrity with Murray's character acting if it is somehow expected. He's a washed up actor making more money than most people earn in a lifetime for doing nothing. And we are supposed to feel sorry for him? His wife is trying to relate to him in the only way she knows how and he can't be bothered. His arrogance in the hotel lounge is offensive.
Johansson's character is equally ridiculous. What is she doing tagging along with her husband. He's there on business not a vacation. She's very young with a college degree - stay home and get a job and start a career rather than sitting in the window sill feeling sorry for yourself.
Half the fun of going to Japan is its uniqueness. I liked that the movie shows Mt Fuji, going to the temple, the Karaoke singing, travel on high speed rail, the wild TV shows, etc. The lead characters do eventually embrace some of the fun rather than being superior.
Obviously the movie rubbed me the wrong way. This is not a movie that I can recommend.