Sleepy Heads (1997) User Reviews

A great comedy that steps in a different direction on the subject of being Japanese, and entertains very well in the process.

[psychoholicdemonoid · 8/10 · 14 February 2005]

What I mean is that most any movie that you can find "on the subject of being Japanese" is most usually a traditional period piece, centered around exhibiting the rich and intriguing history of the Japanese and their culture. In that respect this movie was an exciting, and hilarious contrast to me. Instead, it centers on a group of not so honorable, respectable, or traditional Japanese 20-somethings, and their struggles to exist in the VERY American environment of NYC, despite a large group of misfortunes, and short-comings. A successfully hilarious picture of modern, unsuccessful Japanese youth, attempting to make it in a strange foreign environment.

about nothing

[writtenbymkm-583-902097 · 1/10 · 23 September 2012]

I'll confess right up front that I simply do not understand "films" like this, I don't understand why they are made, I don't understand why anyone likes them. Art, literature, music, theater, and the cinema are all personal and subjective to a point. But to me, this "film" was about nothing. I'm taking the precaution of warning about SPOILERS because I have to say that the only thing that happens is nothing -- some very obnoxious or boring characters hang around New York for 90 minutes, they eat in a restaurant, they visit a topless bar, they get into fights, they talk and talk and talk, and there's no apparent point, there's no story, there's no progression, no suspense, nothing. I have nothing against wild and crazy and offbeat characters who are actually trying to do something. "Repo Man" is wild and crazy with offbeat characters, but they're likable, and they have a goal, there's a story. I have nothing against Japanese movies. "Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald" is a wonderful Japanese movie, with wonderful characters who have a goal, there's a story. "Sleepy Heads" has unlikable characters and no story.

Kick ass good time movie

[ds323 · 9/10 · 14 February 2005]

This movie is an all-around good time, especially for anyone who's lived in NYC, it has a distinctively New York flavor and also shows the the city as I remember it in the mid 90's. I've never seen any of the actors before, and the entire cast came off as fresh and charming. Toshiya Nagasawa was especially good as Ken, the nutty wooden-sword-wielding lazy bum. Eugene Nomura reminds me a little of Jackie Chan's classic happy-go-lucky characters, and he's also impressive in his role. His love interest, who I am guessing is played by Sayuri Higuchi Emerson, is very attractive and likable and great in the role. The remaining characters are also well-cast and all come together to make the film consistently fun and a little silly. If you're looking for a funny, lighthearted but memorable film, "Sleepy Heads" is just that.

Lost in Execution!

[net_orders · 3/10 · 15 April 2017]

SLEEPY HEADS (SURIIPII.HEZZU). Viewed on DVD. Restoration/preservation = ten (10) stars; subtitles/translations = nine (9) stars; cinematography = seven (7) stars; set location/dressing = five (5) stars; music = two (2) stars. Director Yoshifumi Hosoya (who is also credited as co-writer and co-producer) starts off with a plot line having the potential to provide many humorous (perhaps even hilarious) possibilities. It's centered on recently arrived Japanese immigrants (some legal some not; some hard working, some not) living in New York City (NYC) to escape the confines of life in Japan (like its intense work ethic and traditional employment hierarchies) discovering that the social structure is pretty much the same (perhaps even more so) in the NYC Japanese community (complete with Yakuza). Unfortunately, the Director's heavy-handed/bland/plodding execution delivers a decidedly unfunny "comedy." Hosoya's forte (at least in this case) is not directing comedies. His talented Japanese-language cast strains to be funny (often it's painful to watch all the mugging and ham acting by otherwise likable performers), but they lack much in the way of comedic skills, and their Director is clueless. English-language actors are rank amateurs. The film has a surprise ending, but ends in a surprisingly abrupt (freeze-frame) manner (usually an indication that the money has run out!). Then there is the movie's title. Does it refer to immigrant Japanese slackers, the narcotics used by the principal slacker or was it picked out of a hat? Condition of original source material is excellent. Subtitles are fine and all credits are in English (although not all signs are translated). Cinematography (narrow-screen, color) and lighting are very good. Camera movement such as tracking shots is super smooth. Exterior sets are a bit unrealistic making NYC look mostly deserted! Music seems sourced from standard commercial vendors and best forgotten quickly. Aggressively avoid this turkey. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.

Interesting story of a Japanese imigrant, and his friends.

[MegaX · 10/10 · 9 August 1999]

For the most part, this movie is spoken in Japanese, with small parts in English. The version I watched had English subtitles. This movie is about a Japanese immigrant who has an American and a Japanese friend. They rescue a girl from being raped and beaten by the Japanese Mafia, and henceforth the Mafia goes after the guys. This movie is humorous and has a good story. The funniest part is when they think that their friend has died, and they stick him in a trash can and have to lug him around New York. After ditching the friend at night, over a boat, into the water, sun rises, and the friend emerges; alive in the floating trash can in New York Harbor.