Air Doll (Kûki ningyô) poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Bae Doo Na, Arata, Itsuji Itao, Jô Odagiri, Sumiko Fuji ... see more see more... , Masaya Takahashi , Susumu Terajima , Kimiko Yo

A special kind of toy is suddenly introduced to the real world around her in this artful fantasy from Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda. Hideo (Itsuji Itao) is a middle-aged man who doesn't have ma... read more read more...ny friends, but he wards off loneliness with his companion Nozomi (Bae Du-na), who joins him for dinner each evening and in bed afterwards. But Nozomi is actually an inflatable love doll that can't speak or move on her own -- or she can't until one morning when she discovers she's developed the heart, flesh and soul of a human being. Unfamiliar with the world outside Hideo's apartment, Nozomi tentatively learns to walk, dress herself and venture out into the neighborhood, where she mimics the speech and habits of others. Hideo is surprised when he discovers his "air doll" has come to life, but he soon adjusts to Nozomi's new form. But Nozomi begins learning about the pain and confusion that having a heart can bring when she gets a job at a video store and falls in love with one of her co-workers, Junichi (Arata). As she struggles with her feelings, she seeks out her creator -- Sonoda (Joe Odagiri), the designer who invented the model of doll she used to be. Kuki Ningyo (aka Air Doll) was an official selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, where it was screened as part of the "Un Certain Regard" program. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

68% liked it

1,129 ratings

Critics

45% liked it

20 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 5 min.

Directed by: Hirokazu Koreeda

Release Date: September 26, 2009

Invite friends to see

Stats: 151 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

None yet... Got one?

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (151)

  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    January 28, 2011
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    Despite what the unusual premise might lead you to believe, "Air Doll" is a very human, emotional, and strong work. Despite being a little too long and dragging in spots, I was captivated by this film through it's entire duration.
  • kiriyamakazou
    July 18, 2010
    kiriyamakazou
    I'm now a fully dedicated fan to the work of Hirokazu Koreeda. His films are endlessly lovable. Taking on strange ideas but presenting them with most earnestness. Here he does Toy Story/Pinocchio with a blow-up sex doll. She comes to life after her lonely owner leaves for work. S... read morehe ventures around meeting people and begins to understand the world around her. She longs for a heart but soon finds with a heart comes great pain. This film is a realistic fantasy. Never once do we doubt the story that is being told. It deals with the objectification of women, and the loneliness of humanity. Koreeda never allows us to wallow in self-pity. He presents a montage of lonely characters which is absolutely crushing. He doesn't use cheap techniques, just showing people in their lives. Picking shell out of a cracked egg, dealing with picky customers, overhearing somebody else being chatted up. It's all done with such honesty you soon forget this is a story about a sex doll. Du-na Bae creates a fish out of water character looking for her purpose and happiness, without coming across as stupid or annoying. Her innocence drives the film and makes it all the more tragic. A wonderful piece.
  • lesleyanorton
    April 23, 2010
    lesleyanorton
    An inflatable doll comes alive when she grows a heart. Hirokazu Korreda certainly jumps around with his subject matter... bereaved widows, the after life, reluctant samurai and now this. I guess its all discussing the human condition, but while the film was interesting and unusua... read morel and kind of sad really, it jumped around until I wasn't sure what he was trying to say. Something about loneliness maybe, or objectification of women, or both... or either. With a macabre bit thrown in near the end. .
  • Bancho
    November 9, 2009
    Bancho
    Japanese sex culture + Pinocchio = Air Doll. There aren't many more words that come close to describing this film.

View All Air Doll (Kûki ningyô) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Walter V. Addiego
June 24, 2010
Walter V. Addiego, San Francisco Chronicle

The film's poignant depiction of human loneliness is undercut by saccharine notes and a drifting tone. Full Review

Tirdad Derakhshani
June 18, 2010
Tirdad Derakhshani, Philadelphia Inquirer

A charming, richly textured fable that touches on fundamental questions of existence. Full Review

Wesley Morris
June 3, 2010
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

The movie is a fable etched in comedy, sadness, and mild existential philosophy. Yes, the object of Kore-eda's fairy tale is a life-size sex toy, but it's the size and emotional shading of the toy's n... Full Review

Maggie Lee
May 15, 2009
Maggie Lee, Hollywood Reporter

The urban fairytale about an inflatable sex doll come to life gradually unfurls as an achingly beautiful meditation on loneliness and longing in the city.

Derek Elley
May 15, 2009
Derek Elley, Variety

Recut to a trim 90 minutes, this fragile yarn would work perfectly and have a chance of an afterlife as a specialty item. In its present form, pic may not get much farther than the fest netherworld. Full Review

John Esther
December 28, 2010
John Esther, UR Chicago Magazine

Far smarter than 'Lars and the Real Girl' Full Review

Kelly Vance
July 15, 2010
Kelly Vance, East Bay Express

Air Doll wears that compassion on its sleeve a little too earnestly and humorlessly. Even an airhead could see that. Full Review

Sean Burns
July 13, 2010
Sean Burns, Philadelphia Weekly

Here's where I'm contractually obligated to refer to her performance as 'brave,' as that's trusty film-critic shorthand for 'naked a lot.' Full Review

Sara Maria Vizcarrondo
June 30, 2010
Sara Maria Vizcarrondo, Boxoffice Magazine

What's most interesting about the story is not its apparent oddness, but the fact it maintains a sense of fairy tale magic even while it's set in a cold and seemingly hollow world. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
June 24, 2010
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

Air Doll goes on far too long and plays with so many different themes that it seems more like a doodle than a film. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

This list looks lonely.
Add a suggestion!

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Air Doll (Kûki ni... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Air Doll (Kûki ningyô). Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Air Doll (Kûki ningyô) Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Air Doll (Kûki ningyô) to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?