Pretty Good

Let's be realistic.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Blistering performances.

David Boyle is a young filmmaker and in "Big Dreams Little Tokyo" he attempts something pretty amazing--to star, direct and write this film himself! Now if you consider this and the paltry $200,000 budget, the end result is truly amazing. And, I look forward to seeing more of his films--the guy has some talent and it's a nice quirky film.The film is a comedy--but not a laugh out loud film. Instead, it's a nice slice of life film involving some weird characters that you really come to like. Boyle plays an odd American. He's earned a BA in Japanese and actually is VERY Japanese in the way he thinks and talks--which is odd coming from a white guy. His roommate is an oddity as well--a Japanese-American who isn't quite big enough to become a sumo wrestler. Both have large ambitions to be more than they are--and both seem destined to fail. There is a LOT more to the story than this--including some wonderful characters (Mai was terrifically adorable). In fact, the story itself is nice but it's the characters that make the movie well worth seeing.Boyle has a nice touch--the film is sweet and engaging and if you give it time, you'll be amply rewarded. Those who demand a high-speed film or a movie with lots of clarity and a Hollywood style ending might be disappointed--those who just want to see a film about people will be amply rewarded.By the way, in one scene in his apartment, you can see a film for another one of Boyle's films "White on Rice" on the wall. A great way to advertise his next project, huh? Also, there is a scene where the Mexican gentleman meets his translator and says "Catinflas". Catinflas was a very entertaining Mexican comedian--and I assume the man thought his translator reminded him of Catinflas due to his very quirky clothing (and hair).

Big Dreams is a comedy that's perfect for teens and adults. The film is not overly saturated with slapstick, but rather plays to a more intelligent audience.This film highlights the changes in our world today, where cultures blend together in new and unique ways. And such cultural blending creates some great comedic material which is effectively used in Big Dreams Little Tokyo.Having just completed a brief introductory course in Japanese culture, I now realize there's more to this film than meets the eye. There was great attention to detail in this movie as it pertains to cultural norms and behavior. Watching an obviously white Caucasian American try his best to become a Japanese businessman is surprisingly entertaining. Equally funny is the Japanese-American character (Jerome) who is trying to find his place in the world of sumo-wrestling.I highly commend Dave Boyle for his hard work. It takes a lot of talent and determination to make movies, Boyle has both of these qualities and I admire him for it. Keep up the good work Dave!

Writer! Director! Actor! Dave Boyle should be forced to watch his movie for the same amount of collective hours his viewers have wasted on it. Perhaps then he might realize the folly of his vanity. Very rarely do I feel such anger towards a creative person, but director Dave Boyle - and his movie - suffer from conceit to such a degree that this movie is up there with John Cusack's "War Inc." and Grosse Point Blank", as well as Garden State (by The Guy From That TV Show). Boyle also wrote/directed, screaming "look at me! You have to! Because I'm always on screen!" There is a decided lack of dramatic tension with these kind of cutout characters, as they can never do wrong. However, Boyle is further lacking even Cusack's charm/appeal. One gets the feeling that the movie *is* true-to-life in a way, that someone told this guy "Wow, dude, you speak Japanese well" and, like his character, he believed it and got Mommy and Daddy to fund yet another failed venture, this time a movie. Now we know why the bookshop owner has the sign on his door. Actually, we really *don't*. We don't know a few other things as well. 1. If the bookstore owner doesn't like Boyle's character (I forget the name already), why doesn't he simply stop selling his book? Why did he accept it in the first place? If the bookstore owner is selling the thing on commission, isn't Boyle's character undercutting *himself* (i.e. shouldn't he go to stores where they're *not* selling his book)? What led to him putting up that sign? How was the girlfriend able to take down that sign?2. Why is Boyle's character (supposedly) so good at Japanese? If the character's great Japanese skills are such an integral part of the movie, why do we not hear any more of them after the beginning? Wouldn't it be more interesting to find out *why* he is so interested in Japanese culture? Uh, shouldn't he move to or at least work in Japan?(It's worth noting at this point that Boyle himself has never traveled to Japan). Is he overly ambitious with all his companies or just an idiot (of course language learners want a native speaker teacher)? And if he's an idiot, *why* should we care about him? He's not lovable or charming in any way. 3. What about the best friend? Is he Japanese or American (even *he* doesn't seem to know)? If he's American, he's a native speaker of English (and thus qualified to teach low-level classes), isn't he? But if he's American, why does he slurp his noodles in exaggerated Japanese fashion? Wouldn't it make more sense (and be funnier) if Boyle's wannabe Japanese character did so? 4. How about the Japanese girlfriend? As anyone who has lived in Japan knows, the appeal of foreign guys in Japan is that they're *foreign*. Are we really supposed to believe this girl has traveled to America all the way from Japan only to settle for this weak version of a typical Japanese guy? Aren't there millions of more successful, interesting, truly Japanese guys *in Japan*?5. Another flaw in the plot, such as it is: Why does Boyle's character suddenly leave the translation meeting at the very last minute? Wouldn't this damage *both* relationships (he's already late for his meeting with the girlfriend but it's acceptable as it's work and he would forfeit the pay and damage his reputation as a translator by running away)? 6. Again, *why* should we be interested in this guy? He's a bit strange, but we don't know anything about *why* he's strange. There is absolutely no character development throughout the movie so, besides us not knowing anything about his origins, he doesn't grow or learn. The big payoff is what: that he has students being taught poorly by his friend? That he failed even to get those students, that his girlfriend got them for him? And so on. Is *that* the intended message of this movie: just wander through life, get your father to pay for your poorly-thought-through ventures and get your mommy / girlfriend to make everything all right for you by doing all the work? (I won't speculate as to whether "producer" Meg Boyle is any relation). Dave Boyle, I know you're reading this as you most likely wrote the bogus positive reviews below* ("I will watch for his name in the future!" indeed!) If you *must* make another movie, please think hard about what you want to say and how you want to say it next time. This tripe was insulting and irritating.* How odd. Though the comments section for this movie was dormant for two years, one day after I wrote this review, another "fan" of the movie pops up. Who would be checking these comments frequently, I wonder? Initially, I gave this a 4 as it was at least watchable, I was forced by the sakura (Japanese for shill, hired applauder, etc.) to lower this to 0 to offset the high scores.

This darling film mixes the interacting of a number of characters and cultures: a wannabe Japanese salaryman, sushi restaurant "cook", Mexican entrepreneur, Japanese executives, and a precious e.r. nurse.The director,Dave Boyle,takes an implausible Chaplinesk character and makes us love him as he overcomes the pitfalls and successes of business and love, an enduring and new friendship.Characters are intricately woven, so everyone can find someone to identify with and laugh at as well.Japanese culture places a high priority on community, and the humorous scenes of Boyd's uniqueness draws giggles and guffaws.His unusual pairing of characters and topics are a riot. Boyd's intent allows the character to skirt stereotyping.His Japanese language,cultural observances, and understanding of the human condition are respectable.The film has an intimate feel due to the close up shots and controlled establishing shots, maybe due to a limited budget. But it works well. this method bring you into the characters feelings.I viewed this screening with an audience primarily of teenagers. Their reactions indicated they enjoyed the cultural exchange of the personalities.The pacing and the editing could have been tighten a bit. Perhaps a bit shorter.This young director, actor, writer has a perspective that is worth watching. I will watch for the name in the future.