MovieChat Forums > Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2010) Discussion > The problem with sad endings

The problem with sad endings

posted 10 years ago by bbkkamali
9 replies | jump to latest

is that they always leave us with an unnecessarily lingering memory that is even less realistic that the usual Hollywood happy endings.

It may be that I am too much of a sentimentalist but I hated the way my emotions were played with by this movie. It is bad enough with a happy ending but with a sad ending like this, I ended up resenting the makers even more.

The irony is that by sticking closer to the original, the film makers have managed to make it ever more unrealistic within the context of the 21st century.

I mean can anyone accept that in 2009 in the US once Hachi was recognized by the local papers his fame wouldn't have exploded in media? At which time I am sure there would have been individuals and organization who would have tried to alleviate the poor creature's suffering by sponsoring all sorts of therapies and/or antidepressants for him.

[–] Prelude-in-C-maj 10 years ago

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE YET ---

It was set earlier than 2009, though. Richard Gere's gravestone says the year of his death is 1998, and his grandson, who was a baby when Gere's character died, is telling the story of Hachi that much further on.

Even though we had internet etc in 1998, it was still not quite the time yet when everything went viral, as Facebook, You Tube and Twitter are now responsible for that kind of phenomenon.

[–] bbkkamali 10 years ago

What does that have to do with my comment?

[–] Prelude-in-C-maj 10 years ago

It has everything to do with your comment because, lest you forget, you do actually say:

I mean can anyone accept that in 2009 in the US once Hachi was recognized by the local papers his fame wouldn't have exploded in media?

It's hardly pedantic of me to notice that you simply made a mistake in thinking this particular rendering of the story is set in 2009. That's a pretty glaring mistake given that even the film clearly shows the character's headstone.

I was simply reminding you it's actually supposed to be taking place much earlier.

You also mention that news of the dog in 2009 would have gone very public, "viral" is a word I'd use.

However, I was simply pointing out that back in 1998 such a fast spreading of this kind of news wasn't yet really happening.

I don't know why you're using such a defensive tone with me. I wasn't being unfriendly. I was only giving my take on the idea that the times the film was set in was still the times when people really didn't get to hear a whole lot on the internet.

Sheesh. Happy fcking New Year to you too, ass hole.

[–] teppo-2 9 years ago

A bit late to the "party" here but... while the professor died in 1998 and the original story about him was set some time after that, Hachiko dies in something like 2007-2008 because he stood vigil for around 10 years (the wife says something about it having been ten years when returns to the neighborhood). Now, how much media interest it would've garnered at that point I can't say, but likely plenty (after all, the real Hachiko rose to the news several times in his time). However, that possibility didn't really distract from the movie.

[–] bbkkamali 10 years ago

If you are trying to say that 1998 was not 21st Century then I have to agree although I am sure that you know that you are being unnecessarily pedantic.

I think my comments apply to the very late in 20th Century as well. Media induced hysteria goes a long way back in the US as does their belief in therapy and interventions of all sorts. I still think had this happened in the US in the 90s the dog wouldn't have been left alone as it was in reality back in 20s and 30s Japan.

I watched the film for a second time on TV yesterday and it still made me cry. The sadness and old age played out by the dog towards the end is really well done which makes me wonder if they actually induced depression in the poor creature to get that slow, tired walk out of him.

It is odd how animals can induce feelings of empathy much more powerfully than human being.

[–] psdhart 10 years ago

I watched the film for a second time on TV yesterday and it still made me cry. The sadness and old age played out by the dog towards the end is really well done which makes me wonder if they actually induced depression in the poor creature to get that slow, tired walk out of him.

did you also watch it on channel 4? watched for the second time and still got me especially the end

I think they just used an older Akita

[–] rzervou 9 years ago

they used three adult akitas, one was older, and several puppies. Too bad they are not mentioned as protagonists of the movie in ImDb. They are though in Wiki pedia

[–] laughtermadefat 10 years ago

lol, pussy

[–] 9 years ago

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