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List Price: $27.98 | | Label: Image Entertainment
Salesrank: 10516
Released: May 26, 2009 |
| Our Price: $13.88 |
| Used Price: $1.41 |
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MPAA Rating: Unrated
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
An American slacker (Brittany Murphy, 8 Mile; Girl, Interrupted) abandoned by her boyfriend in Tokyo finds her calling in an unlikely place: a local ramen house run by a tyrannical chef who doesn't speak of a word of English. Undaunted by the chef's raging crankiness, Abby convinces him to teach her the art of ramen preparation...and despite hilarious clashes of culture and personality, she learns how to put passion and spirit into her life as well as her cooking.
Stills from The Ramen Girl (Click for larger image)
The Ramen Girl Reviews:
Kool Movie 
2009-11-22 - I really enjoyed this movie. Gives you a good look a Japanese culture and how difficult it is for an outsider to fit in overseas. Brittany Murphy's character feels like an outcast at work, especially after her boyfriend leaves her. Only when she visits a local ramen shop does she discover something she enjoyes doing, despite her tyrannical teacher's dislike for her. Her persistence pays off over the course of the movie, as the other characters begin to appreciate her.
Murphy's acting is a little so-so in parts, and the romantic subplot is cliche and predictable, but this is a great movie anyway. Brittany's cuteness alone make her endearing, and you end up wanting her to succeed. Recommended to anyone.
No awards but worth a watch 
2009-10-08 - Others have provided more in-depth reviews of this movie, The Ramen Girl, so I won't bother trying (not my forte anyhow). I thought it was fun, sweet, moving, a little silly at times, insightful, and just a really good watch. I truly appreciated the lack of four letter words that most movies seem to get more than their share of these days. I did watch the alternate ending in the Special Features too and think the right decision was made to use the one that was included with the movie. I really love watching Brittany Murphy - she's cute, a great funny girl, serious when she needs to be. But even though, here in America at least, she was the most recognizable actor in the film, I thought all of the actors were really good and certainly integral to the film. Brittany blended into a fun cast, and they all shined together. That's my two-cents! I plan to buy this DVD.
feel good chick flick
2009-10-03 - Fun, light hearted movie. I really enjoyed it. I'd say it's more of a feel good chick flick. I enjoyed watching it on my own, without my boyfriend :)
"Teach Me Ramen" ~ The Taste Of Inner Harmony
2009-09-27 - Synopsis: What's a confused, angst ridden young woman stranded in Tokyo to do with herself? Poor Abby has just been abandoned by her boyfriend and has nowhere to turn. Now alone in a foreign culture where she doesn't speak the language she wanders into a little ramen shop in search of a little nourishment for both body and soul. All appears lost until that first taste of ramen prepared by the abrasive chef Maezumi (Toshiyuki Nishida). Within moments everything has changed and her life's path discovered. And what is that path, ramen. Unfortunately Maezumi has no interest in training a new apprentice, specially a talkative, overzealous American girl who won't take no for an answer. Then of course the fact that neither of them speaks the same language doesn't help matters either.
Will Abby's dream be fulfilled or will Maezumi eventually convince her that she's doesn't possess the inner harmony to fully comprehend the profound nature of ramen. It's a tale of east meets west, male versus female, loss and acceptance, and so much more.
Critique: I was totally surprised that I liked, correction loved this film. Why you might ask? Because I am not a fan of Brittany Murphy (nothing personal Brittany). However the wonderful, unique story-line, the magical atmosphere of the ramen shop and the stellar performances of Toshiyuki and Brittany (YES, Brittany I admit it) kept me entranced from beginning to end. The film is reminiscent of another wonderful film, 'Mistress of Spices.' The similarity is found not in the story-lines but the exotic, mystical atmosphere created for the spice store and ramen shop.
Definitely an enjoyable watch delivering lots of energy, strong humorous elements and a subtle mix of pathos that elevates the film to the status of something more than just a pleasant comedy.
My Rating: - 4 1/2 Stars -
SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH BETTER MOVIE 
2009-09-26 - This film could have been a five star movie if all the great pieces were put together better.
Brittany Murphy as a woman in her 20s trying to find her way in life was a great character. She follows her non-committal boyfriend to Tokyo where he abandons her in a movie that although echoing Lost in Translation, has a better story to tell. As her day job is undemanding (the distrust of western employee work ethic is more brilliantly displayed in Fear and Trembling) and adds to her alienation, the young woman looks for comfort in this extremely busy Ramen Noodle place located across the street. The first time, she is magically drawn to it. The interaction between her, the owners and patrons of this place are the best part of this film.
She decides to become a great Ramen Noodle cook, which is a difficult task to master. The fact that there is a huge language barrier makes it more difficult. The plot of this movie is absorbing and commands the viewers attention.
Somehow, all the great parts (fascinating characters, solid plot, absorbing western meets eastern tale) do not equal a great movie overall. There was something missing from the finished film that crushed my initial high expectations.
