Hachi: A Dog's Tale

The original 1987 Japanese version was filled with many ironies and trajectories that seemed to focus more on Hachi's private struggles. In the beginning, after a long train journey in the winter in which he almost dies, from inside the small cage in which he is transported from the breeder to his new home, Hachi as a small 2 month old pup opens his eyes to the hands of the one who would eventually become his sole friend and loyal master. He is fated for yet another journey, a life-long journey filled with much struggle for survival, but again culminating in the hands of his master. Ironies surround the name chosen for him, Hachi, which in Japanese is the number 8 and one which signifies promise and good fortune, even divine favor. It also turns out that Hachi is the 5th of 5 Akita breds that his master has tried to raise. The first four did not survive 2 years, Hachi the 5th is the one that does. The twist is that though Hachi survives well beyond 2 years, his master does not which puts him on multiple trajectories of life-threatening struggle. Eventually abandoned to the streets, one thing keeps him focused in his long journey, his love for and loyalty to his master. His 9 yr search for his deceased master (which actually occurred in the true historical biography of Hachi) drives him into the hearts of a few compassionate people, but mostly into the ire of others. And this is how the original version played out, finally ending in Hachi's dramatic reunion with his master and release from this world with its hardships and betrayals. His loyalty is fulfilled.This later American version is similar on some fronts but different on others: fewer ironies I believe. It focuses more on simplicity, family and community. The film's slow metabolism gravitates more towards Hachi's experience that we might understand and experience how he experienced events and relationships, such that in his simple black and white world salted with simple acts of giving and receiving, the simple truth and sincerity of those acts reveal themselves forming into lasting bonds of friendship, commitment and loyalty. These transactions eventually extend into the larger community in his daily vigils at the town square so that something very uncommon begins to flow out of something that appears very common. The film achieves in depth what it lacks in surface.To illustrate further, at his master's funeral service, words of Whitman's "Leaves of Grass_Songs To Myself" are read aloud by his university associate and friend Ken Fujiyoshi. Ken reads: " I hear and behold God in every object.........I find letters from God dropped in the street, .......And I leave them where they are for I know that others will punctually come forever and ever". For purposes of this film, this might allude to the divine nature of the number 8 (Hachi) in Japanese culture, signifying something rising to and coming down from Heaven to earth, but also to the notion that there is nothing `common', that all is commonly uncommon, that everything has impact from a solitary snow flake descending to earth upon heavenly currents and existing for not more than a moment to a pup that sees and hears in black and white.As the trains themselves are currents in the daily life of the community, Hachi himself becomes a quiet but impactful undercurrent at the station....a memo to the community about the importance of family, faith, friendship, relationships, commitment and loyalty, vitals to the human spirit and social body. And this is where I believe the original Japanese film and the American version contrast. In this version, Hachi's life has more impact in the community. Today a monument to Hachi stands in his honor at the Shibuya station and is one of the most attended sites in Tokyo. The simple but grounded image of the faithful companion resides there an anachronism to the modern time-driven world encouraging pedestrians, viewers and visitors to be more attentive to relationships and things of the human spirit, past and future, with all of their perplexities and uncertainties. Whispers though they be become loud when finally acknowledged.A brief summary of this film's final moments follows:After 10 years, his mistress finally came to terms with her husband's death and returned to visit her daughter, son-in-law and grandson. It was at the end of the year, during the Christmas season, a time for giving. Before going to her family's home, while it was still daytime, she visited her former home, and then her husband's grave. From there she passed by the station where she found Hachiko waiting at his spot, now a much older version, weaker, heavier and in fading colors, but his loyalty never diminishing. He looked tired, even sad, but recognized his mistress and welcomed her. His mistress, surprised, gave to him the affection she had withheld when they were together in those earlier years. In so doing, she was not only embracing Hachi, but also loving her husband. She stayed by his side for the next train after which she departed to her daughter's home. With their family reunited, the circle was now complete, the stage set.Hachi would find Home that evening dying peacefully in his master's arms while faithfully waiting in the same place he had all these years. The sun had set, Christmas lights illumined the station, the air was crisp, and a light snow began to fall as it did 11 years earlier when he found his master. Hachi, having worked his way to the station for the evening arrival, laid at his spot at the front of the circle's edge ( a small circular island overlayed with flowers and a park bench at its center), hoping but with dimming vision. The station, except for a few people departing, appeared empty. Hachi, not finding his master among them fell asleep and began to dream: He saw a brightly lit Train arriving at the station while at the same time began re-living memories of some of his most cherished moments. He saw himself running and walking with his master as they enjoyed their companionship on paths to his home. It was in a warm and brightly lit world cognizant of no end. His master now disembarking the Train as he had always done emerged through the doors into Hachi's Heart where he faithfully gave himself one last time. The circle complete, Hachi found him as he did 11 years earlier, at the station in the colors of beginnings, without mystery. Lunging from himself into his master's arms he freely gave himself as a gift without age borne out of an uncommon bond of companionship, trust and loyalty. Hachi passed on separating quietly, peacefully and seamlessly where he lay. As the falling snow sank into his now still and hollow brow, the Train quietly departed with its lamps fading into the silent cold mists of the night.....This is a very well acted film with a very good script, highly recommended for animal lovers and the sensitive of heart. This is not really a Richard Gere type of film but he demonstrated his versatility with an award level performance. Watch both the Japanese and American versions to compare and contrast. Both are well done...

Get your tissues ready, you will cry! This is a heartwarming story about a man and a dog. I was captivated throughout the whole movie.

Very good movie I recommended

This film is wonderfully shot, includes subtle symbolism in the scenes (hint: look at the train station decorations and time on the clock near the very end of the movie) and is probably the most pure, simple and emotional movie I have ever seen.I don't understand why this great film was not promoted more and/or did not get a good solid American release. I would not even have known about it unless I saw it on the New Releases for Blockbuster. It was filmed in early 2008, released in Japan in August 2009 ..... then simply placed on the "Direct to DVD" market here in the USA. I never heard anything about this movie even being made until stumbling across it by chance luck.A great and well done movie like this deserved better promotion and press treatment. It is a shame because many people may miss out on this film.I can only guess that budget over runs and limited financing left no money in the budget for advertising after the filming was done ? Anybody know ?Or are American audience now only fascinated with fancy CGI visual effects "eye candy" and no story ?In either case ... This movie deserved and still deserves more attention !So on to the movie itself ...A tough guy like me does not usually get choked up over movies, but here is one I can recommend to you that will probably touch you.It is based on a true story from Japan ... although this version with Richard Gere has been shifted to USA.Basically this is the story if you don't already know it.WARNING SPOILER BELOW .......................................A college professor had a dog that was loyal to him.Each day it would follow him to the train station where he left for work.The dog would run around and do whatever all day long.But at 5:00 in the evening the dog was always back at the train station to meet his owner.This went on for years,One day the dog was waiting at the train station, but the professor never showed up.The professor had died of a heart attack at the school campus that day.For the next 9 years, the dog kept waiting and looking for it's owner at the train station everyday.Other people would try to take the dog home, but every time the dog would run away and return to the train station trying to wait for the professor.He became a local legend and the other people at the train station each day would bring the dog food and water to take care of him since the dog refused to leave his post.Eventually 9 years later the dog died, still sitting at the train station watching the people get off every train, looking for his owner.Today in Japan where this really happened they have a bronze statue of the dog sitting in the train station as a tribute to that kind of loyalty......................................END OF SPOILERI suppose the reason I found this particular story touching enough to even put a lump in my throat was two reasons ..1) I have always thought there is something innocent and pure about an animals loyalty and affections that is rare in humans.2) When I was young and walking to elementary school, my friend had a dog named Pal.He would follow us when we walked the 2 miles to school.He would wait for us all day long.I can remember sitting in classes and looking out the window and seeing that dog under a tree looking at the school building and waiting for us to get out.When we got out of class in the afternoon he would be all excited and come running to meet us and follow us home again.This went on for around 2 years as I recall.But one day when we got out of school, the dog was all excited to see us and came running across the parking lot.We started yelling "NO PAL. STOP"But it did not help.Pal ran in front of a school bus in the parking lot.Now being older and wiser, I look back at this story from childhood and think ..........Yes, it is a cute story about boys and their dogs growing up together.But the real world is not the 1800 or early 1900s of farmhouses, dirt roads and horse & buggies anymore.The world is an urban , mechanized jungle that is dangerous for loosely roaming animals.If people really care about their animals they should not let them run around loose all day long to get hit by cars or other dangers.This is one of those rare movies you see in life that will leave an impression.Well done to everybody who worked on this project !