Hachi: A Dog’s Tale

Inspired by true events, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale details the unusually strong bond that forms between a college professor (Richard Gere’s Parker Wilson) and a dog named Hachi after the former finds the latter abandoned at a nearby train station. Director Lasse Hallström has infused Hachi: A Dog’s Tale with a relaxed sensibility that effectively reflects Stephen P. Lindsey’s low-key screenplay, with the palpable chemistry between Parker and Hachi effectively sustaining the viewer’s interest during the film’s decidedly uneventful opening hour (ie Gere is at his charismatic best here, and that dog is almost absurdly adorable). The pleasant, easy-going atmosphere is perpetuated by the colorful array of supporting characters, as Hallström does a nice job of establishing the various townspeople that become an increasingly pivotal part of Hachi’s story (including Jason Alexander’s Carl and Erick Avari’s Jess). And while the pervasively laid-back vibe might be too much for some folks to handle, the viewer’s patience is certainly rewarded once the tremendously moving third act rolls around – as the story’s expectedly tragic turn is exploited to maximum emotional effect by Hallström. It’s consequently not a stretch to label Hachi: A Dog’s Tale the most gut-wrenching tearjerker to come around in quite some time, and there’s little doubt that the film will undoubtedly leave dog lovers reeling long after the end credits have rolled.

**** out of ****