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Hachi: a Dog's Tale

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Hachi: a Dog's Tale

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Summary

Drama based on a true story, starring Richard Gere and Joan Allen. When Professor Parker Wilson finds an abandoned dog at the local railway station his first thought is to reunite him with his owner. But when no-one claims the animal, Parker takes him into his own family home, where he proves to be a very special dog.

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IMDB

Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Trevor Johnston

When an akita puppy is discovered one evening at a suburban train station, a music professor takes the dog home and unwittingly changes both their lives, in this lovely family drama inspired by a famous true-life case of canine devotion. Richard Gere might not be the first actor you'd cast in a slushy animal saga but he's actually just right for the role, as director Lasse Hallström is determined not to milk the story for cheap sentiment. After a slightly wobbly prologue illustrating Hachi's unlikely journey from rural Japan to commuter-belt America, the film takes its time in showing how this four-legged pal becomes an essential part of the household of Gere and his sceptical spouse Joan Allen. The subsequent events are moving rather than just manipulative, while the bond between man and canine is treated with a tender gravitas that might surprise those expecting merely some doggie-themed weepie. But the film certainly is affecting, especially when we learn of its inspiration in Tokyo and the exploits of the real Hachiko.

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8.1/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameParker WilsonRichard GereCate WilsonJoan AllenAndy WilsonSarah RoemerKenCary-Hiroyuki TagawaCarlJason AlexanderJasjeetErick AvariMary AnneDavenia McFaddenRonnie (11 years)Kevin DecosteHeatherTora Hallström

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Crew

rolenameDirectorLasse Hallström

Details

Theatrical distributor

Entertainment

Released on

2010-03-12

Languages

English | Japanese

Available on

DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

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