Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.5
Overall		4.0

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter Blu-ray Movie Review

The treasure's right here on the Blu-ray disc.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 26, 2015

Cinema has often been described as something akin to magic, a medium that, like books, is said to be able to transport audiences to another place, to make them believe in the unbelievable, to share tales of the fantastic and make them extensions of reality under the hypnotic capabilities of master storytellers who, beyond the capabilities of the mere written word or oral retellings, can shape a place, thing, person, and time into something far more tangible than any other form of art. And sometimes, for someone, that magic can seem all too real. There may be that one individual who becomes so obsessed with the ideas of fiction and the stories of something better that they lose their connections with reality. For them, that magic portal becomes a mirror through which their world is falsely reflected, relaying an image that becomes more than entertainment or parable and instead an obsession, a promise that cannot be kept, a dream that cannot be fulfilled, an idea that cannot be manifested in the here and now. Director David Zellner's Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter tells the fictitious story of one such individual, driven to obsession by a misguided notion that one fictional film actually represents a hidden path not only to great wealth but the ultimate escape from her dreary life. Inspired by the urban legend of a Japanese woman who travelled to the frigid American north in search of buried treasure, the film offers a brilliant depiction of the obsessed mind and the dangers and consequences of misguided determination.

Can you help me?

Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi) follows a map to a beachside cave where she unearths a long-buried videocassette. On it is a copy of the film Fargo. She's obsessed with a scene in which Steve Buscemi's character buries a case full of cash, right in front of a wire fence in the middle of snowy nowhere. For whatever reason, Kumiko interprets the scene to mean that the case is still there, waiting to be found. She meticulously calculates its exact whereabouts using every last shred of evidence available to her on the fuzzy image she constantly replays on her small television monitor. When she's given a workplace credit card, she seizes the opportunity to leave her native Japan for Minneapolis, Minnesota, putting her practically within arm's reach of her dream. As she faces the brutal cold, polite yet unhelpful strangers, and a sudden shortage of cash, she steadfastly follows her handmade map in hopes of striking it rich and realizing her dream.

While Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter brings to mind Nebraska, another recent masterpiece about naiveté, obsession, and the long, hard journey that seems destined to end in disappointment, the similarities begin and end with the shared basic themes and story drivers. Kumiko challenges the audience to construct its own backstory of the film's title character. Her obsession -- particularly how it began or what physical or underlying emotional condition drives her -- is left largely to the imagination, and while its ending isn't quite so ambiguous, the film leaves open plenty of avenues for interpretation both in terms of raw reality and in terms of thematic purpose. It's the character's actions rather than descriptive backstory that shape her and her essence. The film masters the balancing act between presenting audiences with a quick snapshot, essentially, of a few brief moments in time but simultaneously building a full, deep character who is at once easy to read and mysteriously complex. The character is defined almost entirely by her obsession, from the way she interacts with acquaintances (brushing them aside, escaping into herself) to how she forcefully pushes forward with no regard for the way things work (ditching a cab, stealing a blanket in the name of the quest). For Kumiko, the obsession is everything. For the audience, the obsession comes by way of discovering the character through her quest, in witnessing, on one hand, an almost pitiful individual whose life seems destined for ruin for her failure to grasp the simplest of ideas and, on the other, an admirable, unbreakable determination to see a plan to fruition.

Furthering the film's mesmerizing narrative is Director David Zellner's impeccable presentation. He certainly understands the value of simplicity in storytelling, of allowing a shot, scene, sequence -- the entire film -- to present with a clean, straightforward flow. Shots linger and allow everything the film has to offer, from its broad strokes to its intimately implied characterization, to unfold with stunning effectiveness. Rather than dashing and dodging, swooping and sweeping, Zellner presents the movie in such a way that the audience gradually falls into it rather than simply watches it scoot by. That the film sometimes moves almost in something akin to dramatic slow motion -- combined with a magnificently understated yet determined and thoughtful lead performance from Rinko Kikuchi -- gives it a much larger sense of importance as small details help shape the greater story, given the necessary time to develop and sink in without feeling like a cinematic burden or some sort of necessary evil crutch without which it cannot stand. The film plays with remarkable understanding of the cinema craft, the story's most initiate details, and the character's innermost thoughts, all of which come together into one of the most spellbinding movies of 2014.

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter's 1080p transfer satisfies. The image is oftentimes gorgeous, featuring beautiful pinpoint details across a larger number of various elements, including terrain, clothes, skin, even rabbit fur. Some of the most breathtaking imagery comes early on when Kumiko enters a seaside cave; the surrounding landscape is truly remarkable in terms of natural complexity and tactile presentation. Her stitched map is likewise noticeably complex and rigid. On the flip side, there's a mild softness to some shots, an occasional lack of crisp detail on basics like clothes and faces. Fortunately, such are the exception rather than the rule. Colors are crisp and well defined; her red jacket sometimes stands apart from otherwise drab, gray-dominant backgrounds. Snowy white expanses are impressively stable. Black levels, however, often tend towards a flatter, duller look. Skin tones present no problems. The transfer show no serious issues with banding, blocking, noise, or other such unwanted qualities.

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack presents the film's surprisingly varied and rich sonic landscape with pinpoint accuracy. The track features a healthy bit of surround activity that brings minor support pieces and major sound elements alike to impactful life. Whether little things like dripping water inside a cave, light seaside sound effects, office din, or background music in a restaurant or more pronounced elements like a blustery wind or snowy, audible static from VHS tape playback, there's no shortage of interesting listens and, more importantly, finely tuned and precisely delivered details that enhance every area of the movie. Music is rich and pleasing, featuring solid clarity and a balanced low end support. Dialogue, both Japanese and English -- there's a fairly even spread with the former dominating the film's first half and the latter the second half -- plays with consistent center placement and impressive detail.

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter contains a commentary and several deleted/alternate scenes.

• Deleted & Alternate Scenes (1080p, 6:47): A Grim Finale, Robert & Brad, and The Long Drive.
• Audio Commentary: Writer/Director David Zellner, Writer/Producer Nathan Zellner & Producer Chris Ohlson discuss the decade-long quest to make the film, beginning with the online urban legend that inspired the film and moving on to discuss a wide range of topics, including the film's title, settings and shooting locations, score, cast and performances, story elements, technical details of the shoot, and plenty more. This is a smart, well-spoken, and highly informative track. Fans will find it to be of great added value.

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter is a standout film, a rare example of a picture that absolutely nails every last little detail. Whether its broad construction or its most intimate character presentations, whether its fascinating story or shadowy details, whether its entertainment value or its dramatic purpose, the film mesmerizes in every way. It's a precise, absorbing character study and a terrific example of the cinema medium at its finest. Anchor Bay's Blu-ray release offers strong video, great audio, and a couple of extras. Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter comes very highly recommended.