Art is viewed in many aspects; whether at museums, studios, photographs, or even movies. Throughout the film Cutie and the Boxer, we as an audience can see and understand specific pieces of artwork and how they are created. Ushio and Noriko Shinohara are two artists that live and work in New York City. Ushio does not follow typical art techniques like most, instead he puts on boxing gloves with foam and paint attached and punches a large sheet of paper, going from the right side of the paper to the left. According to the film, Ushio became famous in Tokyo, where he broke the typical art rules and caught the eyes of people all over Japan. Building on his fame, Ushio moved to New York City and began new projects and met his future wife, Noriko. Noriko was also from Japan and was a young artist specializing in painting. Noriko moved in with Ushio and started on her own works of art. This small story was captured through the paintings of Noriko, showing her life story. The directors showed her paintings as a way to tell her story that would interest the audience and have them gain a greater appreciation for her work and art altogether.
Unlike most documentaries, we as an audience actually get to see their entire daily life, which even includes Ushio stripping down to his underwear. Most of the audience going into the film expects to see how artwork is created and how other people perceive it. However, in this documentary we get to see the true problems of both Ushio and Noriko. During an art showing at his studio, it is brought up by Noriko that Ushio used to be an alcoholic. He used to drink every day and waste tons of money on his addiction, not only did it have an effect on him but also his young son, who later becomes an alcoholic just like his father. Noriko has felt regret from her decisions, she had to deal with most of Ushio’s problems and is not looked at as a true artist in Ushio’s eyes. From Ushio’s point of view Noriko is nothing more than his assistant who uses art as a hobby. However Noriko’s own works show all of her struggles with Ushio and with not being the free profound artist that she wishes. However, at the end of the film it is shown that Noriko truly does love Ushio for the man he is and that the complications that he has brought to her have made her the person she is today and the artist that she had become, which is something that she would do again and again.
During the film, Ushio is asked to go to different art showings and has potential buyers come and look at his work. It would seem that with all of this craze people have with his technique of art that he would be making tons of money, but this is not the case. The couple and their son live in a small apartment and are usually behind on rent. Although Ushio’s art is seen as cool and different, it is not exactly what typical American buyers want to purchase because it so different from the conventional ideas about art. However, the couple’s luck does change towards the second half of the movie. More people become interested in their art which allows them to present their work at a studio. Ushio is asked to display his art at first but Noriko persuades the man giving Ushio this opportunity to also take a second and look at her work. The man is very impressed and also invites Noriko to be a part of the art show. The people at the show loved both Ushio and Noriko’s work.
Towards the end, it is not shown whether or not their artwork is bought by people or not. I believe that the directors did this on purpose and have an overall moral to their story. No matter if they make tons of money or if they don’t make a penny, the directors want the audience to know that art is art. Artists create and show their work for the love of it. It shows their passions, morals, emotions, and many other aspects. Art is an expression of one’s self and how they view their idea of the world. This moral is shown at the last scene of the film when Ushio and Noriko are punching each other with paint but with full enjoyment and love towards one another.
