Commuting by train, music professor Parker Wilson finds an Akita puppy. The cage broke open and it was unnoticed during shipping and his destination is unknown. The station can't care for the dog and the local dog catcher warns even such cute puppies may not be adopted in the two weeks allowed time space. Parker decides the only answer is to take the dog to his home. Parker’s bossy and jealous wife Cate initially makes Parker swear the dog won't be staying!! Over time, it is clear the dog will not be claimed and when an adoption candidate is found, Cate agrees to keep the dog. Their daughter Andy and her fiance Michael were in love with the dog at first sight. Parker's Japanese college friend Ken suggests naming the pup Hachi(ko). Ken is pleasantly surprised when Parker successfully tackles the challenge to get Hachi to fetch because Akitas don't usually fetch. Hachi makes a habit of waiting for Ken, his equally doting master at the train station every evening. After a cardiac crisis, Parker suddenly dies. Hachi refuses to accept the death of his master!! Hachi is moved to Michael’s house because Cate has moved out of the home she shared with Ken. Every day Hachi waits for Parker to come home!!
This film is the story of great love and respect between a college professor and the puppy he rescues on a snowy night. It's a very gentle film that quickly engages the audience as it introduces a heroic dog, a man with a loving heart and an idyllic setting. This engagement intensifies emotions which later carry the story through the years to its bittersweet conclusion. The movie is based the story of a dog who lived in Japan in the 1930s and a statue of the real Hachi remains in the Shibuya train station.
Spoiler Alert: A major character dies, this is heartbreaking and likely to upset most children and parents. Though the film has a "G" rating, it's best for older children who are more comfortable with very sad events. This includes a death, the grief that follows this event and the devotion of a special dog. 5* (I really liked this movie)
Note: Imdb 8.1* out of 10* with 253,070 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 64% with 28 critics 84% with 14,412 audience scores, Common Sense Media Joly Herman, 4* out of 5* age 10+, 1* sex, drinking, drugs & smoking, 2* violence, 5* positive messages, positive role models, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 11,434 reviews, Letterboxd 3.7* out of 5* with 206 fans, The Guardian 2* out of 5* review by Cath Clarke. I was very surprised at the very low review rating given by Cath and her claim of tears either of boredom or slushy emotions??
Special Note: Hachi is played by three different dogs, Chio, Layla and Forrest. On May 19, 2012, a bronze statue of Hachi was unveiled at the train depot at Woonsocket Depot Square where this movie was filmed. It is an exact replica of the bronze statue of Hachiko residing in front of Shibuya Station in Japan. Hachi is a Japanese Akita/Akita Ainu from the mountainous northern regions of Japan. To age Hachi in years as time goes by, in addition to using makeup to dull the colors of his coat, tiny weights were used to make his ears and tail droop. After Hachiko's Master died, Hachiko was taken in by the gardener of the Ueno family. Richard Gere said "These are not the kind of dogs you can buy with treats, they either like you or they don't. An Akita makes a connection or it doesn't make one. Akitas are very discerning, particular dogs and the trainers were very apprehensive about Gere meeting the dogs before filming because these dogs make up their mind right away!! If they don't like you, there is no going back!!"
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