Tampopo

Forget about spaghetti. Coining the hilarious genre of a "Ramen Western," Japanese director Juzo Itami's "Tampopo" could also be considered one of the first hardcore "food porn" films. Absurdly entertaining, delectably mouthwatering, genre-bending, satirical, sexy, sweet, hilarious, surreal, erotic, sensual and a bit on the dangerous side, "Tampopo" is, without argument, unlike any film you may have seen before.

The story follows an unconventional group of culinary Ronin who help the widow of a noodle-shop owner as she searches for the perfect recipe. The plot alone is zany enough, but the visual flourishes and unconventional approach to the filmmaking lifts the film to unprecedented heights of ridiculously refined abandon.

The new 4K digital restoration has arrived to the Criterion Collection, along with an uncompressed monaural soundtrack (on the Blu-ray version). Collectors also essentially receive two films in one package, as the 90-minute documentary "The Making of 'Tampopo'" is included within the bonus features. The documentary dives into the particulars of the film and its process, with narration by Itami himself.

Bonus features also include a new interview with actor Nobuko Miyamoto, along with interviews featuring chefs, a "food stylist" and a "ramen scholar" (those are certainly careers you don't hear of every day). Itami's 1962 debut short film, "Rubber Band Pistol," is also included, as is a video essay by filmmakers Tony Zhou and Taylor Ramos about "Tampopo's" legacy, craft and timeless themes.

A new and improved English subtitle translation, plus an essay by food culture writer Willy Blackmore, round out the bonus package assembled by Criterion.

"Tampopo"
Criterion Collection Blu-ray
$31.96
https://www.criterion.com/films/28880-tampopo