Kumiko The Treasure Hunter

In "Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter," an office worker in Tokyo, lives in an isolated world -- in her apartment and in her own head. After finding a VHS tape of the fictional movie "Fargo," she sets out on a desperate and futile mission to retrieve a briefcase full of money she believes was actually buried by one of the film's characters in a snow-covered field. The story is inspired by an urban legend surrounding the alleged death of Takako Konishi, a Japanese woman who was found dead in a field outside Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in 2001.

Academy Award nominee Rinko Kikuchi plays Kumiko, a woman harangued by her mother and her boss to focus on her career and get married. She's further alienated by all the attractive and brightly disposed women that seem to constantly surround her.

Stealing a credit card from her boss and a map from the library, she makes her way to Minnesota, where she discovers a land full of helpful and friendly people who bring her no closer to attaining her goal.

The movie progresses at a hypnotic, even pace of beautifully composed pictures, reminiscent of a graphic novel and unified by Kumiko's bright red hoodie. This quietly hilarious and ultimately heartbreaking tale reaches almost mythological proportions as it teeters on a line between realism and fantasy.

The Zellner Bros., who wrote, directed (David) and produced (Nathan) the film, have a sly sense of humor, not unlike the Cohen Brothers in "Fargo." This comes across quite clearly in the "Deleted & Alternate Scenes," which contain a different ending and a bunch of unused footage. You can also get a good feel for their personalities in the Audio Commentary with producer Chris Ohlson.

"Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter"
Blu-ray
Not Rated / 104 minutes
kumikothetreasurehunter.com