Sweet Bean
Sweet Bean

Sweet Bean

2015Movie113 minJapanese

The master of a dorayaki pastry store hires a 76-year-old woman whose talents attract customers from all over. But she's hiding a troubling secret. Life's joys are found in the little details, and no matter what may be weighing you down, everyone loves a good pastry.

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Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic83/100
Google Users91%
Director: Naomi KawaseGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

Sentaro runs a small dorayaki shop, serving customers with only red bean paste-filled pancakes. When an elderly woman, Tokue, with a mysterious past offers her help making the filling, the shop's popularity soars. However, their newfound success is threatened by Tokue's past and the realities of aging and illness.

Critical Reception

Sweet Bean was met with critical acclaim, particularly for its poignant exploration of human connection, aging, and the acceptance of life's challenges. Reviewers praised its gentle pacing, heartfelt performances, and evocative cinematography.

What Reviewers Say

  • A deeply moving and humane film about the beauty found in everyday life and human connection.
  • Praised for its sensitive portrayal of elderly characters and their struggles.
  • Visually stunning with a gentle, contemplative narrative.

Google audience: Audiences overwhelmingly appreciated the film's emotional depth and its focus on themes of friendship and overcoming adversity. Many viewers found it to be a touching and thought-provoking experience, highlighting the performances of the lead actors.

Awards & Accolades

Screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Nominated for Best Film at the 2016 Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

Fun Fact

The red bean paste used in the film's dorayaki was reportedly made with a specific recipe that was developed over several months to achieve the perfect texture and flavor, emphasizing the film's dedication to authentic culinary detail.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
badelf

badelf

This is a beautiful film overall which is steeped in Japanese culture. The direction is tight and the acting is great. It's a touching story about shame, honor, redemption and friendship. All of this centered around food - dorayaki in parti...
Reno

Reno

> Encountering an unexpected and its impacts forever. The Japanese foods considered as the healthiest food in the world. Yes, it's a food and restaurant related theme, and those who loves them should give it a try. It was another film li...