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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

Winner
Splash Best Picture Award
Tokyo Int'l. Film Festival
Winner
Best Actress
Awards of the Japanese Academy
Winner
Best Screenplay
Awards of the Japanese Academy
Winner
Best Actress
Kinema Junpo Awards
Nominated
Best Film
Award of the Japanese Academy
Nominated
Best Director
Award of the Japanese Academy
Official Selection
Rotterdam Film Festival
Official Selection
Vancouver Int'l. Film Festival