Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: COME BACK ANYTIME [DOC NYC 2021 - Virtual]
Food is the great equalizer but one that can move the heart if done with the right balance of care and personality, both in the preparation but also in the one serving it. "Come Back Anytime" [International Competition] traces the path and current (at least before the pandemic) view of a small ramen house in Tokyo that treats its customers like family. Masemoto Ueda, the owner, is hardworking as is his wife. Watching how all his different customers have a different interaction with them both since they moved to their new location 30 years ago is heartwarming. In a culture that sometimes doesn't show as much emotion on camera, the touching element of how important this couple and business is to the community is palatable. Now granted the film does start off showing the way the ramen is done and reflecting with the customers in how it tastes. But once it gets beyond the Ueda's background and how their lives and path form, it becomes more a reflection of lifestyle and countenance which transforms the idea of the doc. The film is a medium on how certain points of life are fleeting and you enjoy them as best as you can, even though you might know where they will lead.
Three ventures outside Ueda's shop that have nothing to do with ramen but everything with food and community and give a beautiful representation of Masemoto in his path. He himself said as a youth he was out of control and could easily have become a gangster. His father pushed him to get married and over time his life did find him. He does say he might have wanted more ambition for himself but the result was something he is happy with. The roots he digs up in the wood and on his brother in laws land reflect a closeness to traditionalism and a love that doesn't feel forced. The fact that rice made from a field boiled in mountain river water and then made with wild root during and in a bamboo forest is just cool. While the movie heavily focuses on Masemoto, it is interesting to see his wife reflecting on her own individuality and identity which both reflects new thought while still respecting traditional ways. Japanese culture continues to change but this view into a microsom with a small business where the ramen is just part of the deliciousness shows a balance of logic and emotion reflectivity that is beautiful to see. B+
By Tim Wassberg
