100 Yen Love

Directed by Masaharu Take
Toei Company Ltd.
2014
113 Minutes
Japan
Japanese
Comedy, Drama, Asian
Not Rated
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32-year-old Ichiko (Sakura Ando, "Shoplifters") lives at home with her parents, passing the days in self-indulgent grunginess. Ichiko's recently divorced younger sister Fumiko has moved back home with her young son. One day, after a particularly heated argument, Ichiko charges out of the house for good. With few employment options to support herself, Ichiko works the night shift at a 100 yen shop (dollar store). On her way home each day she passes a boxing gym where she watches Yuji Kano (Hirofumi Arai) silently practice, developing a crush on him. The pair starts seeing each other and things change for Ichiko... At last, the bell rings and longtime loser Ichiko's rematch with life begins!

Cast

  • Sakura Andô
  • Hirofumi Arai
  • Highest Rating
    "The film is a total underdog story that largely relies on Ando and she gives, hands down, the best performance of the year here."
    Dustin Chang, Screen Anarchy
  • Highest Rating
    "An exceptional performance from Ando Sakura leads this comedy turned boxing drama...."
    Andrew Heskins, Eastern Kicks
  • Highest Rating
    "At the risk of overstatement, Ando is that rare performer worthy of comparison to Japan’s all-time greatest actor, Toshiro Mifune...."
    Peter Debruge, Variety
  • Highest Rating
    "In this darkly comedic commentary on Japan's sexism and achievement-oriented society, Ichiko (played wonderfully by Ando Sakura) ranks as one of the most unlikely film heroines."
    Craig Takeuchi, Georgia Straight
  • Highest Rating
    "A hugely entertaining yet emotionally draining experience, 100 Yen Love takes its audience from hilarious highs to tear-inducing lows. ... An adrenaline-fuelled euphoria."
    James Marsh, South China Morning Post
  • Highest Rating
    "Another splendid sample of Japanese indie cinema...."
    Panos Kotzathanasis, Asian Movie Pulse

Awards & Recognition