In time an occasion came up to meet a friend in Shibuya city, contemporary center of Tokyo's youth culture (shopping, fashion, nightlife.), and that's how I've learned about the popular local meeting point for all Tokyoites, the Hachikō Akita dog statue just outside of Shibuya Train Station, but the real story behind it has been still eluding me ever since. Before my last year's visit to Tokyo I've been unaware of the true-life story this movie is based upon. NatGeo), however without a narrator so common in documentaries, and including well-known actors (Richard Gere, Sarah Roemer and Joan Allen), making it more suitable for theatrical distribution. Knowing the real-life story behind it, Hachiko: A Dog's Story (2009) has been made in a sort of staged documentary style, similar to the kind of movies often seen on documentary channels (e.g. The story is told in flashbacks as class assignment 'my hero' by Michael's teen son Robbie, who also gets an Akita puppy. Hachi refuses to accept this, being moved to Michael's home as Cate moves out, waiting for a master who can never come home again, by now collectively adopted by sympathizing town-folk. Hachi makes a habit of waiting for his equally doting master at the station every evening, but after a cardiac crisis, Parker dies. Parker's Japanese college friend Ken inspires naming the pup Hachi(ko), and is pleasantly surprised when Parker successfully tackles the challenge to get it to fetch, which Akitas don't usually do. His bossy, jealous wife Cate initially makes Parker swear it won't stay, but by the time its' clear nobody will claim him and an adoption candidate is found, she agrees to keep the dog, who won over their daughter Andy and her fiance Michael at first sight. You'll find the trailer embedded below.Commuting by train, music professor Parker Wilson finds an Akita puppy, whose cage broke unnoticed during shipping, leaving his destination unknown, and since the station can't care for it and the dog catcher warns even such cute ones may not be adopted in the two weeks allowed, he kindly takes it home. Sony Pictures is releasing the DVD and Blu-ray today.
As their bond growsĭeeper, a beautiful relationship unfolds embodying the true spirit ofįamily and loyalty, while inspiring the hearts of an entire town. Despite initial objectionsįrom Wilson's wife, Cate (Academy Award® nominee Joan Allen - 2000,īest Actress, The Contender), Hachi endears himself into the Wilsonįamily and grows to be Parker's loyal companion. Lost Akita puppy on his way home from work. Richard Gere (2002, Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, Chicago) starsĪs Professor Parker Wilson, a distinguished scholar who discovers a Treasured and heartwarming true stories ever told.
House Rules) comes HACHI: A DOG'S TALE, a film based on one of the most Just be sure to keep a box of tissue on hand.įrom Academy Award®-nominated director Lasse Hallström (2000, The Cider If you hold a softspot for our man's best friend, then this is up your alley. His touching tale is so revered that a stature was build in his honor. Its based on a true story in Japan about a dog Hachikō who received national attention for his unwavering loyalty to his owner, even in death. A little gem of a film that flew under the radar in North American but apparently tugged the audiences heartstrings everywhere else is Hachi: A Dog's Tale.