Reasonably enjoyable, slow in parts, not the best film this year.

Rating: Null/10 (1 March 2004)

Having been to Tokyo many times on business trips, I could certainly identify with alot of the things depicted in the film. This made it enjoyable. However, I did find it was a wee bit too simplistic and sort of over played/ over dramatised a lot of the intercultural differences. For instance the scene with the exchanging and receiving of business cards was interesting and they are important in Japan etc., but it did seem to me like, yeah well okay, what was so funny about that. This seemed to be the case in a lot of parts. I also found the film quite slow in parts. Don't misunderstand me, the film was enjoyable, but I wouldn't quite put it into my top films or even film of the year. Well I guess it is a matter of taste. Some of my work colleagues (who also have been to Tokyo) were really enthusiastic about the film similar to some of the reviews I read. I guess its one of those films you like or you don't like! Finally, I have to say, I thought Bill Murray was great and well, Scarlet Johannson, she does grow on you through the film and is a really attractive character and person as the film develops.