Turtles Are Surprisingly Fast Swimmers [DVD] (2005)

Having watched a large number of Japanese movies, I am in awe of the beautiful, heart-breaking, brutal and disturbing dramas and romantic tragedies which put Western cinema to shame. However, this spectacular art has created the unfortunate stereotype that the Japanese 'Have No Sense of Humour.' And no matter how much I try to explain that this simply isn't true, pointing to other light Japanese movies such as "Swing Girls" and "Lovely Complex," when I bought this DVD, even my own girlfriend kept insisting that it was a Korean film, repeating over and over again that "The Japanese Aren't Known For Their Comedies."Now that we've both watched this DVD however, she has finally accepted the truth. Because unlike too many Korean films in which the so-called 'Comedy' is far too sadistic, the drama and romance are tacked on and unable to mesh with the rest of the film, this wonderful little movie flows like water from a fountain and everything blends together perfectly.An ordinary housewife leading an ordinary life is recruited as a spy for a foreign power, precisely because she is so unremarkable. As a matter of fact, she is specifically ordered to be 'Inconspicuous' and to 'Keep a Low Profile.' So all of a sudden, her mundane existence becomes exciting in her own mind.In short, it's not a question of how other people treat her, it is simply a matter of perspective.The opening sequence of this film, showing the title credits and cartoons of her daily life as a 'Flip-Paper' animation practically deserves an award in itself. And after that, the mere sight of a turtle wearing a parachute is proof that Japanese comedy can rival that of any other nation in the world. But as I've already suggested, there are also several dark, romantic and heart-warming moments in this movie which should never be dismissed by anyone.While one reviewer has stated that this film becomes 'Boring,' I would suggest that the story simply develops into something more. And merely because we might label it as a 'Comedy,' it does not mean that the creators' should be bound by our own limited definitions.For example, having seen her secret life as a spy as little more than an exciting new 'Game,' in one scene, the reality of her situation finally hits the housewife when she sees a fellow spy reaching under the table for a vicious looking dagger.The plumber has asked him what he does for a living, and although he was only making conversation, that one moment makes obvious that he would kill anyone who 'Knew Too Much' without a second thought. However, far from being the clichéd sociopath that Western spy films have almost done to death, he is merely a normal and average man who truly loves his wife. And when he and the housewife are both listening to her making announcements over a PA system, it is deeply touching because he is so moved by the sound of her beautiful voice.Because he must also do his best to be 'Ordinary,' never attracting too much attention, the owner of the local Ramen restaurant has been making mediocre Ramen (a soup made with noodles) for the last fourteen years. However, in reality, he is a very talented cook. So on his final day at the restaurant, he decides to break the rules and make the best Ramen that anyone has ever tasted before.No one will ever eat it, but that doesn't matter. He just wants to make it once before he goes.In terms of sheer comedy however, this movie also delivers in spades. The spy's wife singing "Asuki Panda Chan" and the housewife's evil, duck-like laugh will both stay with me forever. The 'Kung Fu Plumber' and everyone screaming when they see what has blocked the toilet are also hilarious. So in the end, the only real question is why you still haven't bought this DVD :-)

A bored housewife is recruited to become a spy by a very odd couple sums up the plot of the film but all of the characters are likable and the film has several funny scenes so overall I would recommend this film. However if you are not familiar with Japanese films I wouldn't start with this one.

I have been into Japanese films and TV for a good few years now, but this has to be the funniest I have ever seen.It's a nice, gentle comedy with surreal moments and hilarious flashbacks chucked in for good measure.Suzume (the heavenly Juri Ueno) is a bored young housewife stuck at home with her husband's exotic turtle while he is working overseas.One day she sees an stamp-sized advert for spies stuck to a lamp post.Intrigued she calls the number on the ad and arranges to meet the spies at their HQ - a shabby flat.The couple who live here are odd (I recognise them from the Jo Odagiri series "Time Limit Detective") and enlist her - forcing 5 million Yen into her hands for expenses.What follows is a very funny, knockabout story of daft goings on and even stranger people.Juri Ueno is perfect as the young housewife (19 when she made it, playing a 23 year old), and has a nice blend of looks and acting ability... as well as spot-on comic timing.If you want a break from the Japanese ghost stories and the endless yakuza flicks try something less obvious - and buy this and put a smile on your face.I give it 10/10 easy.

Japanese films are rather like Japan itself. Somethings sometimes happen and you never understand what. If you been there you will understand that and this film is similer. The plot has been mentioned previously so no point in going over that. The story is fun but don't ask for explantions. At the end you will be left wondering as to what all of it was about and what was the point of it all. But then that is Japan, it's the experience that counts rather then the conclusion. It doesn't matter that the film provides no answers, (something in our culture we need), instead it concentrates on the experience. Frustrating to us, but totally acceptable to Japanese.Other then that the film is fun, funny and a great insight on City life in Japan. The characters are well drawn and the film itself very well done.

A cute sort of sitcom film with plenty of smiles, some giggles and a few good laughs. Loads of interesting ideas, characters, situations and philosophies, not all of which were meant to be taken seriously, as well as a clever psychological sub-text.I enjoyed it but I couldn't help asking myself if it would also have worked set in Bournemouth or Berlin. Well, possibly Berlin.

Now one of my favourite movies

This movie is wonderful, so quirky and cool. There's ounces of character, and has some genuinely hilarious moments. Loved it to pieces.

Very enjoyable quirky & amusing. Went in to it not really knowing what to expect, but was very glad to have bought it.

j'ai beaucoup aimé ce film avec des trouvailles visuelles trés fortes. l'histoire est drôle avec des personnages tous plus farfelus les uns que les autres.

Dieser Movie, entzieht sich erfolgreich jeder Schublade in die ich Ihn gerne stopfen würde, vielleicht habe ich Ihn deswegen so gerne gesehen obwohl er nur im original Japanischen O-Ton mit Untertiteln verfügbar ist. Lustig, spannend, mitfühlend

You might think this is just a bunch of colorful characters surrounding the charming Juri Ueno, but what if it's deeper than that? (SPOILER ALERT)In the end, she loses her neighbors and friends, right? Her husband is "overseas", her best friend is "traveling" and the others literally descend into the earth without looking back. So what if in her life a lot of people actually did die, like in the Kobe earthquake that happened 10 years before this movie came out. And what if the whole movie is actually her elaborate fantasy, a way for her to deal psychologically with the loss. The bright colors in the movie would then serve to hint at it all being a dreamlike product of her determined imagination, and all the people who died have equally colorful backstories explaining why they're no longer around. Then the movie is really sad, to think that she had to try so hard to get over such a painful experience. It also might mean that at the end, she's not off to save her friend, she's off to a shelter and then God knows where, and everything she owns is in that suitcase with the hopelessly uncool stickers.Or maybe it's just a goofy movie.It's probably just a goofy movie.But it's also slightly possible it's a terribly sad movie.

Drôle, atypique, haut en couleurs ! Des personnages et des situations cocasses. Tout est improbable dans ce film tellement divertissant. Je le recommande^^

Si vous aimez la bande annonce, allez-y sinon, vous n'êtes peut-être pas assez "ordinaire" pour l'apprécier.(seul petit bémol, les sous-titres sont un peu petit ou pas assez marqué)