Hachi: A Dog's Tale

Hachi: A Dog's Tale is an incredibly story about friendship and love. Professor Parker Wilson played by Richard Gere is walking on the train station home one evening and finds himself looking at an Akita puppy. With no owner chasing after the puppy, Professor Wilson takes the puppy. Much to the chagrin of his wife, played by Joan Allen, the dog named Hachi will have to stay in the outside shed.

After days of holding onto the puppy, Wilson's wife breaks down and the new puppy, now named Hachi becomes a part of the family. Through a series of life lessons, life experiences and a small town, Hachi and Wilson become incredibly close and everyone in the neighborhood knows Hachi as their friend. Every morning and every afternoon, Hachi drops off Wilson and picks him up at the train station. Hachi has fully established himself as a member of the family and has become Professor Wilson's best friend and confidant. hachi doesn't care much for playing catch, but enjoys having a deep tissue massage by his owner who shows just how good he takes care of Hachi.

The movie establishes a bond that is clearly strong. Hachi needs and loves Professor Wilson and vice versa. Life, however, has other plans for the two of them. One sad afternoon, Professor Wilson dies suddenly of a heart attack. Knowing only his training and the train station, Hachi goes to the train station, everyday, no matter the weather, hoping to see his owner again.

This is based on a true story in japan, where a professor was greeted every day, at a train station in Shibuya Japan. After 9 years of patiently waiting and hoping, Hachi peacefully drifts into the afterlife, where he is reunited with his owner one more time.

If anyone has ever owned a dog, currently owns one, or has spend even moments thinking about how they want one, they must see Hachi. It had a fairly underwhelming performance at the box office, however that doesn't mean this movie should be missed. It tugs at your heartstrings and impacts you well after the movie's credits begin rolling. The story of devotion and love should be experienced by anyone with a pulse and a sense of honor. If you are in the mood for a feel-good-movie, take some time and see Hach: A Dog's Tale. Just make sure to bring lots of tissues.