Traffic Jam (1991) User Reviews

Going home

[DBsox · 9/10 · 27 February 1999]

A terrific film. A working man and his family set out by car to visit his parents over the New Year's holiday. Although the film works as a "trip from hell"-type comedy, what shines through is its commentary on Japanese life, obligation, and reconnecting with your roots. The final scene between father and son is as touching as any I've seen. Wonderfully acted and deeply human, I highly recommend this film.

Humorous yet heartfelt look at family vacations

[Kit-18 · 9/10 · 1 February 1999]

This was an enjoyable film on several levels. First, imagine one of the countless National Lampoon Vacation movies, but set in Japan and played less broadly and more realistically. Anyone who's shared the myriad experiences of a road trip with the family will laugh and cringe (probably at the same time)at the family's misfortunes (a traffic accident with a truckload of pigs, sleeping in the car due to a lack of a hotel, running out of gas, money and patience all at the worst possible time). However, for all the misfortunes the family endures during the trip to Hagiwara san's home in Shikoku, the key to this movie's success for me was the relationships between husband and wife, parents and children, and father and returning son. Very funny movie but also touching too. Highly recommended.