Zaki Hasan

"A work that has a few pieces of wisdom to offer and a few laughs scattered throughout, but ultimately feels as inconsequential as the TV talking heads it’s trying to critique."  

"Cinematic alchemy of a kind that's all too rare, propelled by a supremely talented cast, a sumptuous score by Thomas Newman and a first-rate script and direction"

"While its depiction of Japanese history is oftentimes dodgy, it nonetheless remains an affecting portrait of Japanese life for American audiences at a time when such a thing just wasn't that common."