Jiro Dreams of Sushi

“Jiro Dreams of Sushi” Review

David Gelb's "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" is a documentary about a man whose relationship with sushi has encompassed his life since he was a boy and followed him 75 years to where he is now. Chef Jiro’s restaurant has only ten seats at a counter you would envision at a coffee shop. His restaurant serves only sushi and is located in the basement of a Tokyo high-rise, not far from a subway stop. Chef Jiro’s restaurant has been awarded three Michelin stars, the highest possible rating, and an honor only bestowed upon a handful of restaurants around the world. His restaurant has also been awarded the Meikou award by the Japanese government. Jiro grew up working his whole life: "You have no home to go back to. That's why you have to work hard”. He is a perfectionist, never satisfied, always criticizing himself more than any professional critic could. An apprentice working for Chef Jiro, spends ten years learning what Jiro has to offer before they are ready for the next step. I would highly recommend watching this documentary, it shows many values for everyone to learn from and appreciate. Even if you are not interested in the culinary industry, this documentary is still something that will open your eyes to a whole new world.

The documentary is filmed beautifully. It is not simply just shots of food on plates and then shots of Jiro himself talking. Instead, it is rather a more, well-balanced film about the complex nature of obsession, perfection, and the discipline Jiro has with his restaurant and his life as a whole. Director David Gelb does a fantastic job of the way his shots capture the essence of what is being portrayed in that particular scene. The lighting is not too bright nor too dark, it is a smooth, rich color to flow with the movie. Some documentaries are merely just people talking and answering questions with some shots about what is being said. David Gelb delves deeper. He will have moments of Jiro answering questions, but the...