In Cutie and the Boxer, an intimate documentary by Zachary Heinzerling, we are introduced to the Shinoharas -- Ushio and Noriko, both Japanese transplants/New York based artists, in their habitat, contemplating about the massive unpaid bills. "How much?" Ushio asks. "You don't wanna know. It's too high to even think about!" Noriko answers. They are the cutest elderly couple you'll ever see. Not only the film is a great documentary about struggling New York artists, but it's also the best love story playing in theaters this Summer.
The film starts with the couple getting up in their squalid, cramped loft in DUMBO (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) neighborhood, Brooklyn. Noriko braids her salt and peppery hair into her signature pigtails, does groceries, makes breakfast and takes care of the bills while Ushio slowly wakes up. She also takes care of business dealings and arranges his gallery shows. The loft is filled to the brim with Ushio's idiosyncratic, bright colored paintings and sculptures. It is quite clear who takes the artist role and and who plays the supporting role in this household.
It all culminates to their exhibition together in 2010 titled (Love is) Roarrr! in a New York art gallery.
Heinzerling gets a complete access to the life of Shinoharas and the result is amazingly tender, intimate and realistic portrait of a relationship between two artists that is built on respect, understanding and most of all, love.
Cutie and the Boxer will open in New York (and Los Angeles) on Friday, August 16 at the Lincoln Plaza Cinema and Landmark Sunshine Cinema. A national rollout will follow.
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