• Starring: Jiro Ono, Sukiyabashi Ono
  • Summary: Jiro Dreams of Sushi is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world’s greatest sushi chef. He is the proprietor of Sukiyabashi Jiro, a 10-seat, sushi-only restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. Despite its humble appearances, it is the first restaurant of its kind to be awarded a prestigious 3 star Michelin review, and sushi lovers from around the globe make repeated pilgrimage, calling months in advance and shelling out top dollar for a coveted seat at Jiro’s sushi bar. For most of his life, Jiro has been mastering the art of making sushi, but even at his age he sees himself still striving for perfection, working from sunrise to well beyond sunset to taste every piece of fish; meticulously train his employees; and carefully mold and finesse the impeccable presentation of each sushi creation. At the heart of this story is Jiro’s relationship with his eldest son Yoshikazu, the worthy heir to Jiro’s legacy, who is unable to live up to his full potential in his father’s shadow. (Magnolia Pictures) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Reviewed by: Keith Uhlich
    Mar 6, 2012
    100
    A dream, indeed. Sure to delight foodies and cinephiles alike.
  2. Reviewed by: Bill Goodykoontz
    Apr 19, 2012
    90
    Jiro Ono is a magician.
  3. Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    Mar 9, 2012
    60
    An extraordinary morsel of a movie, and yes, you'll want sushi afterward. But it won't taste like Jiro's.

See all 26 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. It's a beautiful film - the visuals, the music, and the very subtle, quiet, gentle way in which the story is told work in delicious harmony. I'm not even a sushi eater, but I left the movie really needing to try it. The lifetime of Jiro's and his sons' commitment to improving their craft as the ends, not the means to an end (such as wealth or fame) is impressive. It's almost as if all those years of preparation and commitment are serving that single reaction from the consumer - that umami. If only everyone had the same level of dedication. Sure, there's a tremendous amount of personal sacrifice necessary to achieve greatness in this way - and Jiro admits that his family life suffered over the years. But it's refreshing to see someone so dedicated to excellence in every element of his craft. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. 8
    How do you show someone who is a perfectionist and who spends his entire lifetime honing his skill at his chosen craft? Such commitment is hardly seen anymore, in our get-rich-quick society. This quiet film shows us such a Masterl. Wish I could have a bite of Jiro's sushi! Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. It's an interesting film, but halfway through becomes quite repetitive. While a lot is said about the craft aspects of making sushi, the process is never described in any detail from beginning to end, so we're left to trust in its complexity. Some lip service is paid to conservation issues, which anyone who follows such things knows is a terrible problem in the Japanese fishing industry. Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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