Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a documentary film in Japanese with English subtitles about Jiro Ono, a premier sushi chef who has gained great renown in his tiny restaurant in Tokyo. Older kids and teens, with proficient reading skills and some patience, will appreciate the simplicity, commitment, and success of Jiro's life. It helps, too, if viewers have some interest in food, though in this film food preparation is a metaphor for any of life's great passions. The movie's message is that satisfaction and lofty goals are reached through dedication, constant striving for excellence, and mastering of skills. Some cigarette smoking is seen in background.

Sexual Content

Not applicable

Violence

Not applicable

Language

Not applicable

Social Behavior

Endorses hard work, passion, and dedication as the means to attaining highest goals. Movie attributes great success to more than talent -- consistency, desire, impatience, loyalty are all necessary components -- obsession helps, too. A timeless truth for Jiro: "ultimate simplicity leads to purity."

Consumerism

Not applicable

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Jiro mentions that he used to be a smoker and that his father was an alcoholic. Some smoking visible in background.