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Gung Ho

  • 1986
  • PG-13
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
15K
YOUR RATING
Michael Keaton, George Wendt, Rodney Kageyama, and Gedde Watanabe in Gung Ho (1986)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:21
1 Video
83 Photos
SatireWorkplace DramaComedyDrama

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.

  • Director
    • Ron Howard
  • Writers
    • Edwin Blum
    • Lowell Ganz
    • Babaloo Mandel
  • Stars
    • Michael Keaton
    • Gedde Watanabe
    • George Wendt
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    15K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ron Howard
    • Writers
      • Edwin Blum
      • Lowell Ganz
      • Babaloo Mandel
    • Stars
      • Michael Keaton
      • Gedde Watanabe
      • George Wendt
    • 65User reviews
    • 19Critic reviews
    • 48Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:21
    Official Trailer

    Photos83

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    + 77
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    Top cast52

    Edit
    Michael Keaton
    Michael Keaton
    • Hunt Stevenson
    Gedde Watanabe
    Gedde Watanabe
    • Oishi Kazihiro
    George Wendt
    George Wendt
    • Buster
    Mimi Rogers
    Mimi Rogers
    • Audrey
    John Turturro
    John Turturro
    • Willie
    Sô Yamamura
    Sô Yamamura
    • Mr. Sakamoto
    • (as Soh Yamamura)
    Sab Shimono
    Sab Shimono
    • Saito
    Rick Overton
    Rick Overton
    • Googie
    Clint Howard
    Clint Howard
    • Paul
    Jihmi Kennedy
    • Junior
    Michelle Johnson
    Michelle Johnson
    • Heather DiStefano
    Rodney Kageyama
    Rodney Kageyama
    • Ito
    Rance Howard
    Rance Howard
    • Mayor Conrad Zwart
    Patti Yasutake
    Patti Yasutake
    • Umeki Kazihiro
    • (as Patti Yasuiake)
    Jerry Tondo
    • Kazuo
    Dennis Sakamoto
    • Matsumura
    Stan Egi
    Stan Egi
    • Kenji
    • (as Stanford Egi)
    Martin Ferrero
    Martin Ferrero
    • Crandall
    • Director
      • Ron Howard
    • Writers
      • Edwin Blum
      • Lowell Ganz
      • Babaloo Mandel
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews65

    6.314.6K
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    Featured reviews

    dibrager

    When studying Multi-Cultural or Inter-Cultural communications...

    Having watched this movie as part of a homework assignment, it is my opinion that this film is quite honest at a lot of viable levels. By studying the communication assumptions and mistakes that each party makes in reference to the other, based on the fact that symbolic communication is a receiver-based standard, this movie is ideal to show exactly how, when people do not understand the shared symbols, how chaotic and confusing such communications can become.

    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
    8OllieSuave-007

    An entertaining culture clash comedy.

    This is quite an entertaining comedy starring Michael Keaton as car manufacturer Hunt Stevenson, whose car company was bought out by a Japanese firm. So, he tries to rally his American workers together to work at the plant for lesser pay and being subjected to harsher work conditions and schedules by the Japanese managers.

    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+
    8BennyTheGreat

    WOW! I can't believe this movie is so poorly rated.

    I think it great example of the differences between two cultures. It would be a great movie to show in a sociology class. I thought it was pretty funny and I must say that i am a sucker for that "lets band together and get the job done" plot device. It seems most people don't realize that this movie is not just a comedy. It has a few dramatic elements in it as well and I think they blend in nicely. Overall, I give it a solid 8.
    7SnoopyStyle

    light-hearted fun from difficult subject matter

    The auto plant in Hadleyville, Pennsylvania had closed down after 35 years. The town is desperate. Foreman Hunt Stevenson (Michael Keaton) travels to Japan to convince Assan Motors to reopen the plant. He's successful to his complete surprise. He's hired by new plant manager Takahara Kazuhiro (Gedde Watanabe) as liaison with the American workers. Takahara had been shamed for being a bad executive. Hunt struggles between the demands from Japanese management and the expectations of the American workers.

    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.
    9gitrich

    Michael Keaton At His Best! A Great Comedy!

    Gung Ho is one of those movies that you will want to see over and over again. Michael Keaton is put in charge of wooing a Japanese car company to come to his town thus creating jobs for the residents of Hadleyville. What happens after that is one hilarious moment after another. The two cultures clash and it is up to Keaton to hold things together. Look for great performances from Keaton, Gedde Watanabe, George Wendt, Mimi Rogers, John Turturro, Soh Yamamura and Sab Shimomo. All are perfectly cast. Don't be fooled by the low number rating. This is a 7.5 in my book. It is interesting to note that the town name of Hadleyville was also used in High Noon. Yes, there is a real Hadleyville but in Oregon.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Related interests

    Peter Sellers in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
    Satire
    Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
    Workplace Drama
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Bloomberg Businessweek, Toyota executives later used the movie as an example of how not to manage Americans.
    • Goofs
      When 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 versions
      Some international editions distributed by Paramount on DVD, reduced the aspect ratio from original 2.39:1 to 2.09:1.
    • Connections
      Featured in Generation X: The Power of Disruption (2016)
    • Soundtracks
      Don't Get Me Wrong
      Written by Chrissie Hynde

      Performed by The Pretenders

      Produced by Jimmy Lavine and Bob Clearmountain

      Courtesy of Sire Records Company

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 14, 1986 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Fábrica de locuras
    • Filming locations
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • 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
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 51m(111 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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