Tokyo Cowboy – Review

Hideki Sakai is a Japanese businessman who is touring his new operation, Matsuyama Handmade Chocolate. It produces food, and Sakai knows the industry well. “Let’s eat together, everyone.” is the company motto for Miki Holding Ltd, Sakai’s own conglomerate that he works for. The factory has been evaluated for takeover, especially as Matsuyama himself has no heirs to inherit it, but his name will live forever through Sakai’s purchase.

As Hideki gets back to his company, he fights for the name Matsuyama Chocolate, since it’s what the customers know. Next up on the meeting docket? Kerrygold Dairy, purchased in Montana the previous year, including some smaller assets in its portfolio. One of those is Lazy River Ranch, which while it is 70,000 acres, its margins are dreadful and Miki is looking to offload it.

However, Hideki has a thought about the ranch. Maybe though beef is a shrinking market, there may be a specialty to consider. What about Wagyu beef, which is the future? An expert from Kobe named Naohiro Wada says it is possible to transition the American ranch into a Wagyu farm. A bold strategy and gamble, but it could be profitable…

As Hideki and Naohiro head to America to talk to the ranch, the plot gets into its fish out of water comedy and Wagyu beef infused drama. What will Montana hold for the Japanese men? Will the gamble of Sakai work out? Certainly, everything will go smoothly on all fronts…

Tokyo Cowboy is a charming atmosphere that presents an interesting business drama with some comedic moments throughout. The taste of Japan and Montana clashing produces some excellent moments of humanity and interesting cultural reflections. The story is never quite clear exactly what all it will include, what path it will take, or how character developments will be revealed, however it is a slow crawling drama with a decent setup, so this style fits it well.

The film is aptly directed and has some very scenic shots. All of the actors appeared to have fun, and despite it being a serious movie, the nuanced comedy hits well when it is brought in. Not just a silly culture clash, Tokyo Cowboy brings out some delightful moments and is a very watchable experience.

“Please bring me Hardee’s.”

There aren’t too many direct comparisons I can think of, but I do not watch a ton of drama…