Lonely nine-year-old Masao leaves Tokyo in search of his mother, a woman he’s never met. He’s accompanied on his journey across the Japanese countryside by surly, middle-aged petty crook KIKUJIRO (Kitano), who is none too happy being the chaperone. When KIKUJIRO gambles away all of Masao’s travel money, the two must rely on their wits and the kindness of colorful strangers. Along the way, as the two share a series of wild and unpredictable adventures, they end up at a destination that neither of them could have imagined.
Lonely nine-year-old Masao leaves Tokyo in search of his mother, a woman he’s never met. He’s accompanied on his journey across the Japanese countryside by surly, middle-aged petty crook KIKUJIRO (Kitano), who is none too happy being the chaperone. When KIKUJIRO gambles away all of Masao’s travel money, the two must rely on their wits and the kindness of colorful strangers. Along the way, as the two share a series of wild and unpredictable adventures, they end up at a destination that neither of them could have imagined.
"The result is a heart-tugger made totally irresistible because of the combination of Kitano's wry, sly sense of humor and his rigorous detachment."
Los Angeles Times
"The comic drama is refreshingly anti-sentimental but will break your heart anyway."
San Francisco Chronicle
"Gentle, observational, but punchy and highly amusing."
BBC.com