LiveWire Review/ Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter

LiveWire Film Critic Shaquille Silva reviews Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter…

Director David Zellner tells us the story of Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi), an eccentric introverted woman who has become obsessed with an American film she believes to hold the clue to buried treasure. However, everyone else only has one path in mind for her; to settle down and start a family like every other 29-year-old woman. Whether in protest to this or to prove their (quite rational) doubts wrong, Kumiko is determined to find this treasure, and nothing will drag her down.

Kumiko The Treasure Hunter is an interesting story that follows a very intimate journey that focuses on Kumiko’s point of view. Scenes without Kumiko are scarce and this is for the better as the character of Kumiko is fascinating to watch. Much of her character is established through the actions she takes as opposed to her words and through these actions we see she is frustrated, feels misunderstood and yet is very driven. The “treasure” is her one and only concern and we as an audience empathise with her as we see how much she dedicates herself to finding it each day, not even bound by things like law. However her transgression is not in a threatening or unnerving sense but in a way that makes the audience support her determination and passion and maybe even believe that the treasure is real too.

What I also found effective in the film is the transition from Japan to America. It was not at all jarring and is woven seamlessly. As well as this, whilst she is convincingly established as an outsider of her own society in Japan, in a country that cannot even understand her language, her isolation is further enhanced, even in amusing ways. The humour is light and effectively employed throughout the film.

Rinko Kikuchi does a great job in carrying a whole film. She had me truly hoping for a happy resolution and so the ending’s ambiguity had me turning it over in my head all the way home. The treasure hunt is an adventure worth taking with Kumiko that will definitely leave a lasting impression in your mind.

Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter  (12A) is currently screening at Cornerhouse. Book your tickets here.