Pompo the Cinephile
Seen it?2021 | 94 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
Saturday Specialearly ratingWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It earned strong reviews (96% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite almost no lasting buzz. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and animation lovers. If you loved Memoir of a Snail, start here.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, feel-good.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 34 min.
- What might put you off
- No age rating on record, so check it first for young kids.
- It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
Operating out of the movie capital "Nyallywood," Pompo has been shooting one B-grade entertainment flick after another that anyone would enjoy. One day, Pompo's "movie buff" assistant Gene spots a new script written by Pompo and is moved by its exquisite story. In a fit of passion, he proclaims, "I want to see this as a finished work in theaters as soon as possible!" However, Pompo tells him, "So you shoot this film." Thus, Gene takes on his first directing gig. Meanwhile, Natalie, an ordinary girl who just arrived in town with movie actress dreams, has been discovered by Pompo...
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsBelow par
0 wins and 4 nominations from smaller awards and festivals
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$2 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 24K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Takayuki Hirao
- Konomi KoharaJoel Davidovich 'Pompo' Pomponette (voice)
- Hiroya ShimizuGene Fini (voice)
- Rinka OtaniNatalie Woodward (voice)
- Ai KakumaMystia Lyons (voice)
- Akio OtsukaMartin Braddock (voice)
- Ryuichi KijimaAlan Gardner (voice)
- Rikiya KoyamaAlan's Boss (voice)
- Manabu SakamakiCorbett (voice)
- Mitsuru OgataJ.D. Peterzen (voice)
- Hidenari UgakiNigel (voice)