The movie is an adaption of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog, whose faithfulness became a legend in Japan. More about the original story can be read from here.
Parker Wilson (Richard Gere) is a university professor who found Hachi in the station at one evening. At that time Hachi was still a puppy. Unable to find the puppy’s owner while the station master refused to shelter it, Wilson took Hachi home only to grow fond of it. Year after year, Hachi walked with Wilson to the station and it waited until Wilson came back from work in the evening. Hachi waited at the same spot everyday, even years until Wilson passed away. Hachi had actually been adopted by Wilson’s daughter who moved to a different part of the town after she got married, but Hachi always managed to run away and went back to his spot at the station waiting for his only master.
Honestly, although the story is touchy and I dropped tears when Hachi finally meets with Wilson again, the movie itself goes on slow pace and lacks of something that would make it more enjoyable to watch. Don’t ask me what. Gere is charming, as always. He suited to play a kindhearted professor like Wilson. The dogs that play Hachi are also cute and lovely to see. But still, the overall movie is just nice. It is still heartwarming and a good one to watch with the family.
My rating: 3/6
