MovieChat Forums > Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2012) Discussion > Jiro is selfish and egotistical

Jiro is selfish and egotistical

posted 8 years ago by MsJDoe
3 replies | jump to latest

At first I thought he was such a humble hard working man but by the end I saw him for what he really is - selfish and egotistical. He states that he continues to work because he would have nothing else to do and can't sit idle. Find a hobby or volunteer! His son has been sitting in his shadow for decades waiting to officially "take over" while the son is doing all the work and the father gets all the accolades. His son is the one who goes to market every morning and does all the prep (with his staff) in the background while his father stands out in front taking all the credit - he even said 95% of the work is already done when it comes to him. The three star award he "won" should have actually gone to his son. How his son keeps himself from slipping something into his father tea is beyond me.

I felt really badly for the older son when asked if he was jealous his younger brother got his own restaurant. I noticed he didn't answer the question - he just said it's tradition for the eldest son to take over from the father. Not that the father cares about tradition; his behavior at his parents grave was appalling - "I don't know why I'm here, they never helped me anyway."

[–] escadamausgaby 8 years ago

Even worse, he's a racist, chauvinist, and right-wing nutjob.

[–] Jeromagnus 8 years ago

The younger brother opened his restaurant simply because he had no other choice considering when Jiro left or dies, the eldest son will take over. So no future for him in his dad's restaurant and thats why he left.

Why would the eldest son be jealous ? He will inherit a full working restaurant making tons of money. Maybe it's gonna be difficult to overshadow his father at first but that's all. If he really wanted something else, nothing would prevent him to open his own restaurant.

You put the emphasis that 95% job is done by all the team and Jiro get credit for everything... You should remember he also said he teached them all he knew. He had a hard working life, it seems legit he can now have a good time for the few years he can still work, and that won't be for long most certainly.

The guy worked his whole life and he likes it. There is no reason for him to leave and just feel useless in some daycare for seniors.

[–] tyboulder 7 years ago

Like most things in life, who Jiro is, is far more complicated that what your opinion recognizes.

You would have to know Japanese culture very well in order to comment on something like the ego or to judge someone as selfish.

It's true Jiro isn't the small, humble, gifted monk-like character you sketched in your head-- but the movie goes to great lengths to show you many sides of him. He's described by his employees and the food critic as impatient, stubborn and uncompromising. He is also shown to have an incredible passion for what he does-- with the ability to laugh with his sons while reminiscing over both happy and sad times.

Jiro is far too complicated to label or judge like you have. Does he have selfish moments? Sure, and we all do, too. His overall pursuit and intentions seemed fairly pure to me, and that's how he earned my respect during the movie. I certainly don't see him as infallible, and his faults are made clear if you're paying attention, but specific (rather than broad) labels rarely work for anyone.