. . . the twists and turns of his life story become more apparent and the full scope of his tragedy takes shape. But life has a curious habit of unpredictability, those who appear lost forever are finally found, and occasionally you can go home again.

Full Review | Aug 23, 2017

It's a gentle and inspirational doc about a street artist.

Full Review | Original Score: A | Sep 27, 2010

It should not have taken luck and a charitable filmmaker to save Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 24, 2007

One is struck by how both filmmaker and subject had their lives changed and improved by such a chance encounter, the kind we hope for when we live in a city.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | May 25, 2007

By paying him attention and making this portrait, [director Hattendorf] makes us see Jimmy Mirikitani as a three-dimensional person and not a stereotype of homelessness. You leave the film glad to have met him.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Apr 27, 2007

Her efforts, presented without even the faintest whiff of self-congratulation, yield revelation and real success, and keep The Cats of Mirikitani moving along a compelling and unpredictable trajectory.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 23, 2007

Offering pleasant surprises and emotional revelations, it's a compassionate film about healing and the human connections that are vital to that process.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 23, 2007

In its best moments, The Cats of Mirikitani captures both the tragedy and transcendence of his life.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Apr 23, 2007

What begins as a straightforward docu on an elderly homeless artist in New York City winds up as an indictment of U.S. internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII.

Full Review | Apr 23, 2007

It's one of the best kinds of documentaries -- not calculated but serendipitous.

Full Review | Apr 23, 2007

Poignant beyond words, The Cats of Mirikitani is comparable to finding a pearl in a pile of oyster shells.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 20, 2007

A low-budget effort with a huge emotional and intellectual payoff.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 20, 2007

If you're not moved by his movie, you're really a hard case.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 20, 2007

This is an unofficial movie about an unofficial life, which is why we have to take some initiative in order to see it.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 7, 2007

A compelling documentary that touches the heart with its account of a tenacious street artist's transformation thanks to the hospitality of a caring and compassionate woman.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 30, 2007

Graceful and poignant.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 24, 2007

Ms. Hattendorf's is truly and profoundly a 'found film,' and it is deeply moving enough to be fondly remembered at year's end -- and long after.

Full Review | Mar 14, 2007

A journey well worth taking.

Full Review | Mar 5, 2007

An absolute masterpiece. Combines political commentary, human drama and great visual art into a single compelling package.

Full Review | Mar 3, 2007

Hattendorf took a risk in opening her home to Mirikitani -- but the gamble paid off for everyone, including viewers of this fascinating film.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/6 | Mar 3, 2007