In Jiro Dreams of Sushi, director David Gelb introduces the viewer to the world of Jiro Ono, the legendary, 85 year old sushi chef of the highly acclaimed three Michelin starred sushi bar, Sukiyabashi Jiro. Gelb underscores the Jiro’s relentless pursuit of perfection, reflected in both his life and his work. The film expounds on an analogy between music and food, carefully drawing on the similarities by likening Jiro to a maestro, his food to a concerto and articulating the union between rice and fish as they “are in complete harmony.” In fact, akin to a concerto, the sushi served at Sukiyabashi Jiro is divided into three movements.
(Photo Courtesy: Magnolia Pictures)
The first movement, classical, feature classic fish such as Halibut, Octopus, Fatty Tuna, Medium Tuna and Lean Tuna. The second movement is underscored by the unique catches of the day, such as Striped Mackeral and Wheel Shrimp. Finally, the third and final movement is marked by the delicate Sea Eel Kanpyo and Egg, which is so highly revered, apprentices must wait ten years before they are allowed to cook. Overall, the analogy to a concerto accurately articulates the fundamental distinction between Jiro Ono and his restaurant as compared to other exceptional sushi bars.
(Photo Courtesy: Magnolia Pictures)
While many praiseworthy sushi bars exist in Tokyo and other world class city’s, such as New York, none possess the profound degree of flawless perfection that Sukiyabashi Jiro embodies. In underscoring these awe-inspiring attributes, Gelb does a remarkable job of sending the viewer on a journey to one of the ten seats at Sukiyabashi Jiro, thus providing first hand exposure to what may be considered the preeminent sushi meal in the world. Gelb’s close up shots featuring the mouth-watering sushi, which epitomizes the term “food porn” captures the essence of both the meal and the theme of perfection at large. Overall, the film is nearly as perfect and flawless as its subject, which inevitably justifies the viewing. While it certainly is not worthy of comparison, the film nevertheless represents the closest way to experience Jiro and his masterful sushi bar without having to fly to Tokyo and pray for a reservation less than two months in advance.
2DineOut- the luxury food magazine. 
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