Chocolate and Movies About Tax Collectors . . .

[woodwardiocom]

-Last night at the Diesel, ricevermicelli was talking about an instance of corporate malfeasance in Japan, and reminded me of a movie I think she'd like. I couldn't remember the name then, but managed to track it down today: Marusa no Onna/A Taxing Woman. (The Japanese title actually translates to, more or less, "A Woman of the Tokyo Regional Taxation Bureau," sans pun.)

-The heroine is a member of Marusa, which resembles a secret strike force that happens to work for the Japanese IRS. Tax evasion in Japan is a high art, and Marusa conduct undercover operations, followed by SWAT-style tactical assaults, to get the evidence needed to prosecute. The movie isn't brilliant, but it's very entertaining, particularly if you have an interest in tax law. (E.g., before she's promoted to the strike force, we see the heroine explaining to a grocery store owner that he still needs to pay taxes on food he takes for his family's consumption, because it still counts as a sale even if no money changes hands, "But I'll be generous, and only value it at wholesale prices." Call me demented for finding this interesting, but . . . )

-From the director of Tampopo, if that helps.

Comments

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

The raid on the love motel was particularly amusing. It isn't high art, true, but does give a window on an aspect of Japanese culture most Westerners aren't aware of.

[taura-g.livejournal.com]

Where's the Chocolate???

[caulay.livejournal.com]

That's what I was wondering.

[drwex]

A Taxing Woman is really funny. The sequel not so much.

[whswhs.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes, A Taxing Woman is marvelous (though I must agree with drwex in finding the sequel disappointing). The comedy comes across the cultural divides quite splendidly. And I found the central character sympathetic—curiously so given her occupation . . .

(After watching it, I was struck by the curious thought that the lead character's competence and dedication to her job made her a perfect Ayn Rand heroine—and if the thought of an Ayn Rand heroine working as a tax collector isn't funny I don't know what is.)

[aota.livejournal.com]

I'll have to check it out. I liked Tampopo a lot.