HACHIKO: A DOG'S TALE... A TRUE STORY OF LOYALTY

Someone help me because I can't see... I cried my eyes out during this film. This is the (based on a true) story about a boy and his dog; well, a man and his dog... okay, Richard Gere and his dog. Gere is a professor living in small town where everybody knows everybody else. One night coming home from work on the train he finds a literally irresistible dog, an Akita, wandering about with no owner in sight. He takes the dog home until the owner can be located and we know what happens then. The Professor develops a great bond with his new friend. There are subtle hints that the family may have lost a young son which Hachi seems to help heal.  Some years down the line, after being used to accompanying his owner to and from work, one evening the professor doesn't come home. This is NOT a spoiler, they show it in the preview. The professor dies.

His death is not a big focus in the film. The focus is on Hachi, who waits for 9 years at the same station for his long deceased owner. My eyes (okay I didn't lose them) are even watering up just thinking about it. I won't spoil things and say anymore about the plot, but bring tissues. What makes this film great isn't excellent acting (although Gere and Joan Allen as his wife are solid) it isn't about dialogue, it is about the simple bond between a man who gives his heart and love to this dog and the dog who sees and accepts it and returns it with unending loyalty. Animals are amazing and Akitas are known for their intellect and good breeding. They have been the dogs of choice for royalty. Most of what really touched me about this film was that it is based on a real story of a professor in Japan with the dog of the same name (his picture) who died in the 1920's and for nine years Hachi waited for him at the station. When he died the people of Japan commemorated him with a bronze statue which is known to be a popular meeting place to this day. My movie rule of thumb is not to watch dog movies. I get too emotional after watching animals in any kind of peril. I happened to watch this soon after my cat was sick which made it hit home that much harder. If you aren't an animal lover, then best to skip this film because that is what the whole movie is built around. I'm not sure about how kids would understand these concepts, so maybe just for the older ones. I loved this film. Be sure to watch the DVD extra on the making of the film.
Big Bite: For animal lovers only, but what a true animal lover's film.