My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
77% of users liked it
(5,368 ratings)

Based on a wildly popular Japanese comic strip, master animator Isao Takahata directs this loosely structured work about that wacky household, the Yamadas. The family consists of laid-back, rice cracker-addicted mother Matsuko; the bland businessman father Takashi, who has illusions of machismo; the… More Based on a wildly popular Japanese comic strip, master animator Isao Takahata directs this loosely structured work about that wacky household, the Yamadas. The family consists of laid-back, rice cracker-addicted mother Matsuko; the bland businessman father Takashi, who has illusions of machismo; the fearless, acid-tongued grandmother Shige; the slacker teenaged son Noboru; the younger sister Nonoko, who has a freakishly voracious appetite; and Pochi, the misanthropic family dog. During the film, the Yamadas wrestle for control of the TV remote and they deal with a band of bikers who have invaded the neighborhood, while Takashi has fantasies about being born into a more interesting family. The film's score is done by popular songster Akiko Yano. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Isao Takahata
Written By: Hisaichi Ishii, Isao Takahata
Genres: Drama, Animation, Kids & Family, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: Aug 16, 2005

Critic Reviews

Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Quirky animated comedy follows a family's ups and downs.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
For all that they are cartoons, the Yamadas never court buffoonery... In fact, it's surprisingly observational, based in the way that people honestly act and feel.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the movie would be best served by a viewing in separate installments.
Michael Szymanski, International Press Academy
It's far more wacky than anything you'd seen in the Sunday comics.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
Fluffy as a French pastry and almost as cloyingly sweet.
Tony Whitt, Now Playing Magazine
Most [segments] are pleasingly bite-sized, occasionally moving, and rather funny.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Buena Vista digs deep to release two more Studio Ghibli films on DVD
Norm Schrager, Filmcritic.com
charming
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
Unlike all other animated works from the celebrated Studio [Ghibli]

Read all 9 critic reviews

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jan Marc M

A chronicle of the Yamada Japanese family, My Neighbors The Yamadas is a coarse, but creative animation output from Studio Ghibli that fragmentary narrates the comical encounters of the members of the Yamada family. A satire of the relevant in marriage, family, and contemporary… More
A chronicle of the Yamada Japanese family, My Neighbors The Yamadas is a coarse, but creative animation output from Studio Ghibli that fragmentary narrates the comical encounters of the members of the Yamada family. A satire of the relevant in marriage, family, and contemporary domestic affairs, My Neighbors The Yamadas remarks a contemplation on the quality of relationships within a family. Raucously lively.
Matthew Y

One of the biggest dilemmas in reviewing films is reviewing a movie knowing you are not the target audience. My Neighbors the Yamadas is a slow and painful watch for an adult, but adults are not the audience The Yamadas are shooting for. They're going for a very young audience,… More
One of the biggest dilemmas in reviewing films is reviewing a movie knowing you are not the target audience. My Neighbors the Yamadas is a slow and painful watch for an adult, but adults are not the audience The Yamadas are shooting for. They're going for a very young audience, like 3-5 years old. Will 3-5 year olds like The Yamadas? If they do does that alone make it a good film? It's a difficult predicament to be in. I can watch Sesame Street or Mr. Rodger's with an young child but Barney the Dinosaur makes me want to blow my brains out. Does that make one program better than the other? Ultimately there are films geared towards the very very young that are more than tolerable for adults as well (Winnie the Pooh, My Neighbor Totoro, Follow That Bird, etc.) and so I split the difference with My Neighbor's The Yamadas.
Marion R

This reminds me of the "funny pages" from the newspaper, 3 comic panels which are suppose to elicit laughter, but in fact leaves you thinking, 'who the fuck thinks this is funny?'. That is exactly what this film was like a much of short panels that I assume were… More
This reminds me of the "funny pages" from the newspaper, 3 comic panels which are suppose to elicit laughter, but in fact leaves you thinking, 'who the fuck thinks this is funny?'. That is exactly what this film was like a much of short panels that I assume were suppose to elicit some laughter, I don't know if it was a cultural or if it just wasn't interesting enough, but I only had twenty minutes left until the end of the film and I just turned it off. I just didn't care. Plus in the beginning it felt really preachy and "quote-y". blah.....
Ivan D

Isao Takahata's "My Neighbors the Yamadas" is the complete opposite of his well-known masterpiece "Grave of the Fireflies". It dealt with common family trials and presenting it to us audiences with humorously light-hearted touch. And while "Grave of the… More
Isao Takahata's "My Neighbors the Yamadas" is the complete opposite of his well-known masterpiece "Grave of the Fireflies". It dealt with common family trials and presenting it to us audiences with humorously light-hearted touch. And while "Grave of the Fireflies" used stark, and realistic animation, "Yamadas" used a more unconventional, surreal style, to accompany the comic nature of the film. The opening sequence used unique objects to allegorically represent common family situations. Many said that this is not on par with "Grave", but for me, it is also great on its own.