Tada's Do-It-All House (2011 Film)

Mahoro Ekimae Tada Benriken promotional visual

Tada's Do-It-All House, known in Japanese as Mahoro Ekimae Tada Benriken, is a 2011 Japanese comedy-drama film directed by Tatsushi Omori. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Shion Miura, published in March 2006 by Bungeishunju Ltd. The film was produced and distributed by Asmik Ace Entertainment, featuring cinematography by Ryo Ohtsuka, and was released in Japanese theaters on April 23, 2011, with a runtime of 112 minutes.

Plot Synopsis

In the fictional Tokyo suburb of Mahoro, Keisuke Tada, portrayed by Eita, works as a benriya, operating as a general problem solver for hire. One day in January, his former classmate Haruhiko Gyoten, played by Ryuhei Matsuda, appears unexpectedly. During their school days, Haruhiko was quiet and rarely spoke, but he has since become talkative. Both men are over thirty years old and divorced. Without explanation, Haruhiko asks to stay the night at Keisuke's apartment. Although initially reluctant, Keisuke eventually allows him to stay, unaware that Haruhiko plans for a prolonged visit. Keisuke eventually accepts Haruhiko as his assistant, and together they handle various odd jobs involving a diverse assortment of local residents.

Production and Development

Principal photography for the film began in mid-July 2010 and was scheduled to conclude in August 2010. The film marks the fourth collaboration between lead actors Eita and Ryuhei Matsuda, who previously appeared together in Blue Spring (2001), 9 Souls (2003), and The Foreign Duck, the Native Duck and God (2007). The theme song for the film, titled "Camel", is performed by the Japanese alternative rock band Quruli.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast of characters operating within the fictional suburb of Mahoro:

Eita as Keisuke Tada
Ryuhei Matsuda as Haruhiko Gyoten
Reiko Kataoka as Lulu
Anne Suzuki as Haishi
Manami Honjou as Nagiko Sanmine
Tasuku Emoto as Yamashita
Kota Yokoyama as Yura
Masayo Umezawa as Yamashita's mother
Nao Omori
Suzuki Matsuo as Shinchan
Akaji Maro as Oka
Kengo Kora as Hoshi
Ittoku Kishibe as Hayasaka

Film scene still from Tada's Do-It-All House

Festivals and Related Media

Tada's Do-It-All House had its European premiere at the 12th Nippon Connection film festival held from May 2 to May 6, 2012, screening under the Nippon Cinema section. The film generated subsequent media expansions, including a 2013 television drama series titled Mahoro Eki Mae Bangaichi broadcast by TV Tokyo, and a 2014 feature film sequel titled Tada's Do-It-All House: Disconcerto (Mahoro Ekimae Kyousoukyoku).