When a Japanese automobile company buys an American plant, the American liaison must mediate the clash of work attitudes between the foreign management and native labor.When a Japanese automobile company buys an American plant, the American liaison must mediate the clash of work attitudes between the foreign management and native labor.When a Japanese automobile company buys an American plant, the American liaison must mediate the clash of work attitudes between the foreign management and native labor.
- Awards
- 1 win total
- Mr. Sakamoto
- (as Soh Yamamura)
- Umeki Kazihiro
- (as Patti Yasuiake)
Featured reviews
Therefore, before hucking it under the pile, never to be seen again, you might want to look upon it in a most serious light and see if it doesn't share some elements of truth that you've experienced when interfacing with other cultures in your life.
Just a thought.
David I. Brager
There is plenty of comedy relief in the film, from culture clashes to slapstick humor. There's also bits of heroism in the film, including Hunt's town's survival being contingent on the car company staying afloat and including Japanese company manager Oishi Kazihiro (Gedde Watanabe) showing honor to his boss, colleagues and family in getting the car making job done.
Overall, an entertaining film with touches of Americana and Japanese cultures.
Grade B+
Director Ron Howard makes light-hearted fun from a difficult subject matter. For the most part, it works for me. It can be off-putting for an audience that is either pro or anti-union. Howard essentially splits the difference by having both workers and management come together in a happy ending. Michael Keaton is fun. He faces the challenge with charm. Another director would make this a tougher movie but Howard is not that guy.
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to Bloomberg Businessweek, Toyota executives later used the movie as an example of how not to manage Americans.
- GoofsWhen Hunt Stevenson meets the Japanese managers for the first time, they hand their business cards over with one hand. Japanese business protocol requires formally presenting business cards, holding them with both hands.
- Quotes
Hunt Stevenson: If you walk out that door, you're going to miss a great comeback. We're ready to roll here, Jack.
Mr. Sakamoto: This will never be like a Japanese factory... *Jack.*
Hunt Stevenson: Oh, yeah? You're right. You know what else? So what?
Mr. Sakamoto: You failed.
Hunt Stevenson: Really? Wanna know something? I got one of the first cars ever made here. I got *the* first car ever - I don't think I want it anymore. As a matter of fact, here.
[hands keys to Mr. Sakamoto]
Hunt Stevenson: Why don't you take the keys, okay? I'd rather have one of those cars.
[points to cars in assembly line]
Hunt Stevenson: I'd rather have one of these cars that *we* made *together,* by hand. Your guys and my guys, together. You know why? Because those cars stand for something. Those cars stand for something pretty great. I'm proud of those cars. I'm taking one.
[Turns to workers]
Hunt Stevenson: Gentlemen, I'm going home in my new car!
[All workers cheer and applaud, then silently pray that Hunt's new car has a working engine. Hunt starts the car, and the workers cheer. However, the car literally falls apart after about two yards, and the workers start to moan. Hunter gets out of the car]
Hunt Stevenson: I tell ya, I thought it handled great!
- Alternate versionsSome international editions distributed by Paramount on DVD, reduced the aspect ratio from original 2.39:1 to 2.09:1.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Generation X: The Power of Disruption (2016)
- SoundtracksDon't Get Me Wrong
Written by Chrissie Hynde
Performed by The Pretenders
Produced by Jimmy Lavine and Bob Clearmountain
Courtesy of Sire Records Company
- How long is Gung Ho?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $18,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $36,611,610
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $7,170,830
- Mar 16, 1986
- Gross worldwide
- $36,611,610
- Runtime
- 1h 51m(111 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1