Original Title: Dai-Nihonjin
Directed by: Hitoshi Matsumoto
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: This mockumentary follows Masaru Daisatô (Hitoshi Matsumoto), a middle-aged man leading a disconnected life from surrounding Tokyo, who also happens to be Big Man, the last of a long line of monster fighters.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Masaru lives with a stray, nameless tortoiseshell tabby cat. The cat is usually present while Masaru is being interviewed in his home. In the first scene featuring the cat, she is running around Masaru’s feet while he is preparing dinner.
During dinner, Masaru is sharing his meal with the cat. The interviewer asks if it is his cat.
Masaru explains the cat isn’t really his. “It just comes over sometimes.” When asked if the cat is a stray, Masaru postulates that in a way all cats are strays, even if they are pets. During this, the cat steals a big chunk of fish.
“You could say I’m a stray, too,” Masura offers. “All living creatures are strays, really.”
The cat appears again in other interview scenes, usually running around behind Masura, checking out the set and being incredibly adorable. It’s hard to keep your eyes off this energetic cat during these otherwise quiet scenes.
Near the end of the film, Masura is home drunk when the government officials break in to electrocute him in order to change him into Big Man. The cat is present as the men are breaking in.
Masura reaches for the cat and pulls her into his chest as the men enter.
As a result, the cat is on Masura when he changes into big man, and amazingly she is also charged into growing large! She doesn’t seem too happy about it, either! Sadly the cat is not seen again.
Kitty Cameos: Three cats are outside the noodle house Masura frequents.
There is also a silver tabby outside Masura’s home in one establishing shot.
Final Mewsings: Cats love kind men, be they big or small.
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