Cutie and the Boxer

2013

82 mins

Directed by Zachary Heinzerling
95%
75%
Documentary
Award Winner

The 40-year relationship of two artists is the centre of this Sundance-winning documentary, portraying the decade-spanning... More

The 40-year relationship of two artists is the centre of this Sundance-winning documentary, portraying the decade-spanning marriage of renowned “boxing” painter Ushio Shinohara and his wife Noriko.

As a rowdy, confrontational young artist in Tokyo, Ushio seemed destined for fame, but met with little commercial success after he moved to New York City in 1969, seeking international recognition. When 19-year-old Noriko moved to New York to study art, she fell in love with Ushio - abandoning her education to become the wife and assistant to an unruly, alcoholic husband. Over the course of their marriage, the roles have shifted. Now 80, Ushio struggles to establish his artistic legacy, while Noriko is at last being recognized for her own art - a series of drawings entitled “Cutie,” depicting her challenging past with Ushio.

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Where to watch Cutie and the Boxer

Cutie and the Boxer is available to stream in the... More United Kingdom now on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store and Google TV and YouTube.

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Cutie and the Boxer | Ratings & Reviews

95_%74 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes® rating
75_%4,349 reviews
Audience score rating

"Zachary Heinzerling's five-years-in-the-making pic is a warts-and-all portrait of love, sacrifice and the creative spirit."

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Variety

"The simple approach teases fascinating parallels between art and marriage: essential to both, it seems, are a thick skin and an optimism verging on madness."

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Total Film

"It's a touching film and a fascinating glimpse into one of those couples you can't quite believe are still together."

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Time Out

"Makes you feel less like a spectator than a guest, a friend welcomed into the home of an odd and fascinating couple."

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The New York Times

"Bohemianism and marriage are both for life in this alternately rueful and whimsical documentary about expat Japanese artist couple Ushio and Noriko Shinohara."

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