Continuing his series of hilariously incisive examinations of modern Japanese culture (burial rites in THE FUNERAL, food in TAMPOPO), director Juzo Itami here turns his gaze on that most sacred of contemporary obsessions--money. Part social satire, part procedural drama, A TAXING WOMAN
takes its title from spunky, dedicated tax agent Ryoko Itakura (wonderfully acted by Nobuko Miyamoto, Itami's wife), who uses her demure looks to lull tax cheats into false confidence before she lowers the boom. Most of the film details her determined attempt to get the goods on suave "adult
motel" tycoon Hideki Gondo (Tsutomu Yamazaki), who launders his money through the yakuza
Released:
1987
Rated:
NR
Length:
127 mins