I've never cried watching a movie before.EVER! but I couldn't hold my tears even after it was over. and I thought maybe thats because I knew from the begining that its a true story. so I wanted to ask people who watched it without knowing that, how did you react at the end of the movie?(ofc before that little script at the end about the real Hachi )
shareWhen I first saw the movie, I didn't know anything about it, just that it was a sad, dog movie. Didn't see the trailer, didn't read about the movie, had no idea it was based on a true story. So, when Gere died, I was like - wtf, there's still half of the movie left to go, is the main character really dead? Then I realized what's going on and who the main character actually was. I was crying like a little girl for the last 20 mins. Never cried during the movie before (or after). And you know what, I'm glad it happened this way, made this movie more interesting and surprising for me. And it's a real quality, especially direction and the piano music.
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Then you must've had a stone heart but Hachi the dog changed it!
shareI had already known the story, but is it OK to write here?
I grew up in Tokyo and I knew the story/legend really, like everyone else as a Japanese person. I came to watch this last night because of my friend's suggestion. I have passed the statue of Hachi at Shibuya station like thousand times, but I had never even thought about the story. I took it for granted that 'he' was always there but not really thinking about why he was there...
Loved the film very much... I feel the personalities and attachment everyone had to this adorable loyal friend. Actors and crews. No Hollywood fake factors in it. I was so glad they had much respect to Japan!
So, I saw my Norwegian husband crying so hard. Saying he loved it but he hates my friend who suggested it, haha. That friend of mine is an American guy who had an Akita Inu while living in Japan. An abandoned dog he found and raised. He flew back to the States with his loyal dog a few years back. I told him about this new statue of Hachi with another statue of the professor built together :) It was a couple of days ago.. Now we find his reunion at University of Tokyo. Thought it was a lovely project!
Lillian...what a beautiful post. Thank you for allowing us to read a unique view on this lovely film.
Spoilers....
Yes, you can count me among those that hadn't a clue about the story until it was over. I remember being home and watching tv, not much on...I saw a Richard Gere movie...hmmm, I know almost all his films - I don't remember seeing one where he is a dog owner and what seemed to be a Hallmark TV-movie yet. Very strange....I was doing paperwork at the same time so I thought, this looks like the kind of thing I can have on and not get too involved in. Oh, brother. When Gere dies, I could not believe it. Like others, I thought....is it the end already ? I mean, how can the main character die and you still have over 40 minutes to go?
I can't tell you how I had to absolutely stop doing everything else until the end of the film. My tissue box was emptied.
And then....it was based on a true story ?????
Through a bucket of tears, I noted the name of the movie and watched it in its entirety the next time it was on. Cried all the more, again. I tell anyone who is an animal lover about it...but with the warning to have lots of Kleenex.
Love you, Hachi ! (and Gere for choosing such a lovely film)