Sumo Bruno

Well filmed, but bad: cliché, silly, predictable. Lazy script.

Just saw the premiere at the Montreal Film Festival and was greatly entertained. Sumo Bruno is a German film of a 400+ lbs man who finds meaning and self-esteem in a quest to win a sumo-wrestling championship. The story is, in many ways, very conventional with respect to various relationships and plot developments, however the story and characters transcend the Rocky cliches.

The fun--if lightweight--fable of a 420lb German softie who toughens himself to go after the World Sumo Championship which coincidentally happens to be held in his hometown. Gentle performance by our big hero in a gently perfunctory script. Some good sight gags and an attractive love interest keep the movie bouncing along towards a fairly determined ending. We could have had more of the Japanese coach (where is the necessary philosophical doctrine, the mantra?) and a bit less of the mean ex-boyfriend. Real sumo fans may be disappointed with the fairly limited sumo action. Somewhere between a kid's movie and a fable for fattie adults, the movie is enjoyable on its primary level as a mild comedy. The opening and closing credits are a delightful treat. The Canadian lumberjack sumo was also a howler. Mike G. liked this movie even better than I did. The director also showed up at our screening in Montreal and he was the nicest guy imaginable and terribly funny.

Having just seen Sumo Bruno at London's German Film Festival, the first thing that strikes me is what a crying shame it is that distributors are not picking this gem up because they think audiences won't want to see a film about a "fat person." This is Germany's answer to The Full Monty - a delightful, funny, heart-warming, life-affirming film that avoids mawkishness or sentimentality, but proves deeply humane. Superbly acted, great sound, interesting photography - I can't think of any downfalls. As for the "fat person" worry... perhaps those distributors should get out of their glass and marble enclaves a little more often... this works because it's about REAL people finding their dreams...

I just saw this wonderful film tonight at the German Film Festival in London.

I knew from the brilliant opening title sequence that this film was going to a treat.

This could film could and should be a worldwide hit. I hope it will be. It has everything going for it. It's very well written, full of wonderful performances, has fantastic music throughout and the cinematography is gorgeous.

I couldn't have enjoyed it more and I was sad when it ended. It's a definite 10/10 film, and I don't give such a high score lightly. Look out for it and go and see it!