Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2012)

All Critics (87) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (87) | Rotten (1) | DVD (2)

The exquisite nigiri slices gleam with freshness, and you do learn about the component parts to the perfect serving of sea eel or gizzard shad.

January 8, 2013 Full Review

Trevor Johnston

Time Out

Top Critic

It's torture to watch Jiro Dreams of Sushi -- if you are on an empty stomach.

January 7, 2013 Full Review

Maggie Lee

Hollywood Reporter

Top Critic

By the time this graceful film is over you understand why Japan has declared the bald, bespectacled Jiro a national treasure. Even if you've never tasted sushi, the man's singleness of purpose will inspire you.

April 20, 2012 Full Review | Comments (2)

Colin Covert

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Top Critic

Gelb apparently understood that his subject was itself so taking that he wouldn't need filmic embellishments to keep his viewers alert.

April 20, 2012 Full Review | Comment (1)

Stanley Kauffmann

The New Republic

Top Critic

Obsessive, we were saying? Oh my, yes, and that's what makes the film so compelling.

April 19, 2012 Full Review

Bill Goodykoontz

Arizona Republic

Top Critic

The most interesting moments, however, belong not to the chef but to those who labor in his shadow.

April 6, 2012 Full Review

Mike Sula

Chicago Reader

Top Critic

Gelb also provides an education on the different kinds of sushi, the purveyors of premium fish and rice, and overfishing. But it's his lyrical, lovingly photographed scenes of preparation that elevates the documentary to a work of art.

April 21, 2013 Full Review

Matt Kelemen

Las Vegas CityLife

Subtitled docu about sushi chef inspires and enlightens.

March 22, 2013 Full Review

Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

You may not dream of sushi, but don't watch this on an empty stomach.

February 4, 2013 Full Review

Scotsman

Taking a minimalistic approach that matches his subject matter, documentary filmmaker Gelb delves into one of the most acclaimed kitchens in the world: the tiny Tokyo sushi bar run by 85-year-old Jiro Ono, the oldest chef to earn three Michelin stars.

January 15, 2013 Full Review

Rich Cline

Contactmusic.com

I left the cinema wanting to meet the man and eat his food.

January 13, 2013 Full Review

Philip French

Observer [UK]

David Gelb's affectionate documentary ...

January 11, 2013 Full Review

Derek Malcolm

This is London

A beautiful ode to an artisan and his culture.

January 10, 2013 Full Review

Liz Haycroft

Little White Lies

Jiro Ono's exacting standards have earned him three Michelin stars, but it's his taciturn nature that spices and sours this documentary.

January 10, 2013 Full Review

Henry Barnes

Guardian [UK]

The themes of age and appalling loss give the film a freakishly affecting lyricism.

January 10, 2013 Full Review

Antonia Quirke

Financial Times

Jiro Dreams of Sushi sets a drool-flecked new standard in food porn, and makes the moanings and gruntings of Nigella Lawson look softcore by comparison.

January 10, 2013 Full Review

Robbie Collin

Daily Telegraph

The end result isn't just one of the best films of 2012, documentary or fiction, but a movie worthy of Jiro himself.

January 7, 2013 Full Review

Perry Seibert

TV Guide's Movie Guide

Treating his seafood substantially better than Oldboy, Jiro is a miracle of perfectionism married to expertise. The same can said for Gelb's loving documentary.

January 7, 2013 Full Review

Simon Crook

Empire Magazine

It does not try to make any broad claims about it subject beyond simply observing, this is what he does, this is why it matters, and this is his legacy.

December 17, 2012 Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

It's a simple tale, but one to savour.

December 17, 2012 Full Review

Ann Lee

Total Film

I never cared for sushi, but I have to admit that seeing the documentary film, 'Jiro Dreams of Sushi' makes me want to try the incomparable and expensive sushi at Jiro's place.

December 4, 2012 Full Review

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

The no-nonsense documentary about a compulsive sushi chef wet my appetite even though I never liked sushi.

November 26, 2012 Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is one of my favorite films of the year. Its subject is fascinating, but the film is great for its incredible aesthetics and heartfelt exploration of humanity's drive to create.

September 18, 2012 Full Review

Jonathan Lack

We Got This Covered

If the ultimate goal of a documentary is to drop you into a location and make you feel it as if you were actually there, consider this the most scrumptious trip to Tokyo you'll ever take.

August 24, 2012 Full Review

Erick Weber

NECN

• 1. Jiro Ono: Once you decide on your occupation... you must immerse yourself in your work. You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That's the secret of success... and is the key to being regarded honorably.
  – Submitted by Hriya M (3 months ago)
• 1. Jiro Ono: I'll continue to climb to try to reach the top, but no one knows where the top is!
  – Submitted by Elliot K (5 months ago)
• 1. Jiro Ono: Jiro's ghost will always be watching.
  – Submitted by Tammy G (9 months ago)
• 1. Jiro Ono: My son must do this for the rest of his life.
  – Submitted by Chris P (14 months ago)
• 1. Jiro Ono: Even at my age, in my work... I haven't reached perfection.
  – Submitted by Chris P (14 months ago)

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