Don't be put off by the cover image

“Don't be put off by the cover image”

Written on: 24/01/2012 by reviewkitten (280 reviews written)

Made the year before Brittany died, The Ramen Girl is a lovely little film that is set in Japan and features subtitles but please don't let that put you off.

Brittany's character Abby moves to Tokyo to be with her boyfriend but soon finds herself alone as he breaks up with her and moves away. Unsure where her live if headed she stumbles across a ramen shop where she decides she wants to train and become a chef. Unfortunately for her the owner speaks no english and is a hard task master.

Brittany is great in this role, she lights up every scene and the relationship she developes is a delight to watch. Even though a hell of a lot of the film is subtitled, which is refreshing as you can really understand the differences between this lost American girl and the Japanese culture she has found herself in, it never feels awkward. It showcases Japanese culture without being patronising or glamourised.

A little hidden gem of a film that cheered me up on an otherwise dull evening.