Hachi: A Dog's Story Spoilery
Why was this film not released in American theaters? It is one of the great mysteries of the world.
No matter, go out of your way to watch this one, it is well worth it.
In the film, Professor Parker Wilson, played by Richard Gere, is coming home one night and finds a puppy at the train station. His wife is adamantly against his keeping the pooch, who he learns from a Japanese friend (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) is wearing a collar bearing the name 'Hachiko' and is of the Akita breed, but the Professor soon falls entirely in love with the puppy. Hachi is smart, loyal, apparently likes the Yankee's baseball team (he and Parker watch a game together one night) and avsolutely adores his master. The good Professor's wife Cate (Joan Allen) is less taken with him, making the dog sleep outside and rarely seeming to show him much affection (save for one brief scene).
Not much time is dedicated to Hachi's puppy years, instead the story moves at a good clip to his being a grown, if young, dog. That is not say that the intensity of the bond between the master and dog is not evident. The moments we have are enough to see the unconditional love the two share. It is now that he is grown that we see how clever Hachi really is. After a thwarted attempt at following his master to work, Hachi demonstrates that he has realised the connection between the train whistle and the return of Parker, so at the precise time in the afternoon makes his escape from the backyard and goes to meet the very surprised Parker at the train station. This becomes a regular occurrence, and Hachi becomes a bit of a local celebrity, receiving pats and kind words from the man who works at the train station (Jason Alexander) the local hot-dog salesman (Eric Avari) and a shopkeeper (Davenia McFadden).
This is the only point where the film had potential to drag, but nicely avoided it by having all the scenes between Gere and that adorable dog have some purpose in the film.
Then comes the inevitable. One morning, Hachi acts oddly, almost as if he doesn't want Parer to leave. He once most displays his intelligence with a moment I would not like to spoil, doing something for his master that he has long tried to get Hachi to do. That day, at work, Professor Parker has a heart attack, and though Hachi waits long into the night, he of course never comes home.
Parker's daughter Andy (Sarah Roemer) tries to give Hachi a good home, but the dog sinks into a deep depression, and still sets out each night to wait at the train station. So, when she finally lets him go, I bore her no ill will. There are thoe who were upset by this, but then this story was a bit of a fable, and she loved the dog, and could see that he was not happy living with her.
Thus begins Hachi's ten year vigil. He spends his days hopefully awaiting the return of his master, and his nights in the train yard, sleeping under on of the engines. But, we can see that he is happy with this life, as happy as he can be. The local hot-dog stand owner feeds him. Hachi waits for ten years. In my favorite scene in the film, the old dog meets Parker's wife again, and they sit together and wait, in what I took as her silent apology for the things Hachi had endured.
There is a simply tragedy to this, and an amazing loyalty. It is far more than a tale of a man and a dog, but rather one of an enduring friendship. I am sure that the dog must doubt sometimes that his master will come, but he never looses hope and loyalty. This film was wonderfully acted, and done in such a way to avoid hall-mark card schmaltz. It is, however, a tear jerker, so keep tissues handy.
I have a slight criticism, which would be that I did not really appreciate the dog's-eye-view shots that happened occasionally, with their muted color and odd camera angle. Also, the story is told as a class report by Parker's grandson, which was cute but I did not think particularly engaging, but, those scenes were short, thankfully.
Oh,and did I mention, this is based on a true story?
That said, SEE THIS MOVIE!
Hachiko: A Dog's Tale/ Hachi a Dog's story: 4 and 1/2 from five stars.
My Random Review (C) is done. Thank you..
No matter, go out of your way to watch this one, it is well worth it.
In the film, Professor Parker Wilson, played by Richard Gere, is coming home one night and finds a puppy at the train station. His wife is adamantly against his keeping the pooch, who he learns from a Japanese friend (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) is wearing a collar bearing the name 'Hachiko' and is of the Akita breed, but the Professor soon falls entirely in love with the puppy. Hachi is smart, loyal, apparently likes the Yankee's baseball team (he and Parker watch a game together one night) and avsolutely adores his master. The good Professor's wife Cate (Joan Allen) is less taken with him, making the dog sleep outside and rarely seeming to show him much affection (save for one brief scene).
Not much time is dedicated to Hachi's puppy years, instead the story moves at a good clip to his being a grown, if young, dog. That is not say that the intensity of the bond between the master and dog is not evident. The moments we have are enough to see the unconditional love the two share. It is now that he is grown that we see how clever Hachi really is. After a thwarted attempt at following his master to work, Hachi demonstrates that he has realised the connection between the train whistle and the return of Parker, so at the precise time in the afternoon makes his escape from the backyard and goes to meet the very surprised Parker at the train station. This becomes a regular occurrence, and Hachi becomes a bit of a local celebrity, receiving pats and kind words from the man who works at the train station (Jason Alexander) the local hot-dog salesman (Eric Avari) and a shopkeeper (Davenia McFadden).
This is the only point where the film had potential to drag, but nicely avoided it by having all the scenes between Gere and that adorable dog have some purpose in the film.
Then comes the inevitable. One morning, Hachi acts oddly, almost as if he doesn't want Parer to leave. He once most displays his intelligence with a moment I would not like to spoil, doing something for his master that he has long tried to get Hachi to do. That day, at work, Professor Parker has a heart attack, and though Hachi waits long into the night, he of course never comes home.
Parker's daughter Andy (Sarah Roemer) tries to give Hachi a good home, but the dog sinks into a deep depression, and still sets out each night to wait at the train station. So, when she finally lets him go, I bore her no ill will. There are thoe who were upset by this, but then this story was a bit of a fable, and she loved the dog, and could see that he was not happy living with her.
Thus begins Hachi's ten year vigil. He spends his days hopefully awaiting the return of his master, and his nights in the train yard, sleeping under on of the engines. But, we can see that he is happy with this life, as happy as he can be. The local hot-dog stand owner feeds him. Hachi waits for ten years. In my favorite scene in the film, the old dog meets Parker's wife again, and they sit together and wait, in what I took as her silent apology for the things Hachi had endured.
There is a simply tragedy to this, and an amazing loyalty. It is far more than a tale of a man and a dog, but rather one of an enduring friendship. I am sure that the dog must doubt sometimes that his master will come, but he never looses hope and loyalty. This film was wonderfully acted, and done in such a way to avoid hall-mark card schmaltz. It is, however, a tear jerker, so keep tissues handy.
I have a slight criticism, which would be that I did not really appreciate the dog's-eye-view shots that happened occasionally, with their muted color and odd camera angle. Also, the story is told as a class report by Parker's grandson, which was cute but I did not think particularly engaging, but, those scenes were short, thankfully.
Oh,and did I mention, this is based on a true story?
That said, SEE THIS MOVIE!
Hachiko: A Dog's Tale/ Hachi a Dog's story: 4 and 1/2 from five stars.
My Random Review (C) is done. Thank you..